Liu Hong of Chino Hills, arrested after search warrants uncover an indoor marijuana grow and utility theft.
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, November 28, 2017
INCIDENT: Search Warrants - Indoor Marijuana Grows / Utility Theft
LOCATION: #1 – 17753 Gazania Drive, Chino Hills
573 marijuana plants / Suspect ID pending
#2 – 4997 Highview Street, Chino Hills / 675 marijuana plants
SUSPECT(S): Liu Hong, age 33, resident of Chino Hills (arrested at location #2)
SUMMARY:
The Sheriff’s Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) and deputies assigned to the Chino Hills Police Department served two search warrants at residences in Chino Hills for the illegal cultivation of marijuana.
Investigators found evidence of an illegal indoor marijuana grow at both locations and evidence of utility theft at Location #2. Several hundred marijuana plants were found growing inside each of the locations. The two locations do not appear to be related to each other at this time.
At Location #2, investigators found the suspect, Liu Hong, inside caring for the marijuana plants. He was arrested without incident. Evidence of utility theft was also found. The main power lines provided by Southern California Edison (SCE) were tampered with allowing for the theft of electricity. Personnel from SCE responded to the scene to assist with the investigation and to disconnect the electrical service at the location for public safety. Often, the suspects involved in the illicit growing of marijuana will bypass the utility company’s meter to steal electricity service and to prevent detection by law enforcement or the utility. This dangerous process is illegal and will usually result in a fire at the incident location because of the unpermitted methods used.
The loss to SCE is believed to be in the thousands of dollars. Additional charges such as vandalism to property may be added at a later time.
Several investigations have revealed that rental properties are being used by tenants to illegally grow marijuana. The tenants and the owners of the rental property should check with their local city code enforcement division or law enforcement agency to verify that marijuana cultivation is allowed. Generally, large scale marijuana growing operations are not allowed in residential areas. The city of Chino Hills prohibits this type of activity. A link to the Chino Hills Municipal Code regarding marijuana activity is below.
The Sheriff’s Department encourages the owners of rental properties and property management companies to conduct periodic inspections of the rental property to ensure the tenants are complying with the terms of the rental/lease agreement and to prevent any illegal activity from taking place.
The investigation/reports will be sent to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office for review of criminal charges against the suspect. He will face charges of Utility Theft, Vandalism and Cultivation of Marijuana.
Click here for Chino Hills Marijuana Ordinance: https://library.municode.com/ca/chino_hills/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT5BULIRE_CH5.28MA_5.28.020COMAACRO
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Gangs / Narcotics Division at 909-387-8400. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.
Refer: Sheriff’s Public Affairs
Phone No. (909) 387-3700
Report #: DR #651700348 & DR #651700349
John McMahon, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
Address/Location
SBSD - Chino Hills Police Department
14077 Peyton Dr
Chino Hills, CA 91709
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1