Full Notification

DATE/TIME: May 27, 2018, at approximately 3:55 p.m.

INCIDENT: Indoor Marijuana Grow

LOCATION: 7000 block of Escondido Avenue, Oak Hills

SUSPECT(S): Caizhong Chen, 44 year old male resident of Fresh Meadows, New York
Xi Chen, 39 year old female resident of West Hartford, Connecticut
Heguan Chen, 47 year old male resident of Brooklyn, New York
Guo Jin Jiang, 57 year old male resident of Edgefield, South Carolina
Cai Dong Chen, 46 year old male resident of New York, New York
Huodi Chen, 63 year old male resident of Rehoboth, Massachusetts



VICTIM(S):


SUMMARY:
On Sunday, May 27th, at approximately 3:55 p.m., deputies from the Victor Valley Station were dispactched to a possible burglary in progress at a residence in the 7000 block of Escondido Avenue in Oak Hills. Upon arrival, deputies encountered two of the suspects in the open garage of the residence, and the others came out shortly after. During a security check of the interior of the residence, a marijuana cultivation operation was discovered. Deputies called for assistance from the Sheriff's Gangs/Narcotics Division - Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET). Investigators served a search warrant at the residence. Seventeen hundred (1700) marijuana plants, in various stages of growth, were found inside the residence, along with over three pounds of processed marijuana. The grow operation used advanced lighting, air conditioning, fans, exhaust blowers and air filtering systems to control the climate inside the residence, as well as the odor of marijuana coming from it.

Investigators discovered electricity at the location was being stolen. Personnel from Southern California Edison (SCE) assisted in the electrical theft investigation. Suspects who grow marijuana illicitly will commonly bypass the electrical meter installed by the electrical company. This is done due to the high amount and cost of electricity needed to operate the marijuana growing equipment.

The extreme measusres used to illegally grow marijuana endangers the public living nearby. An electrical short caused by the unpermitted electrical wiring most likely would have resulted in an explosion or fire in the residential community, causing possible injuries. The electrical power to the residence will be disconnected so the faulty wiring and eletrical bypass will not create a hazard for the public. The loss from the theft of electricity at the location will be several thousands of dollars.

The suspects were booked at the High Desert Detention Center on charges of Utility Theft and cultivation of Cannabis; over six plants.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Gangs/Narcotics Division at (909)387-8400 or [email protected]. 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

Station:

Phone No. (909)387-3700

Case No. DR #: 651800230

JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department