FONTANA – Police quickly linked a marijuana grow house in Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday with another one that was discovered a day later in Fontana. Yangqiang Chen, 35, of Monterey Park, in neighboring Los Angeles County, was arrested.
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at a house at 7687 Waterbury Place in Rancho Cucamonga, a gated community, when neighbors reported that the residence had been broken into was made to the law enforcement agency on Tuesday night.
When they arrived, deputies discovered over 400 marijuana plants upstairs, according to reports.
At the Rancho Cucamonga home, investigators discovered a device that was used to bypass the use of electricity, which led to nearly $38,000 in power theft, said authorities.
Deputies arrived at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, learning of Chen’s description. He was found nearby with his wife and three children. He was booked into West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga on suspicion of marijuana cultivation and utility theft.
Investigation led to the discovery of a Fontana location.
A search warrant for a home at 6045 Medinah St. in Fontana was obtained where police discovered nearly 750 marijuana plants, plus an electricity theft device, it was reported.
The two residences, both in newer sections of their respective cities, are located within 10 miles of each other.
Sheriff’s deputy Ernest Perez said there are marijuana grow houses in various communities. Some signs include timer lights, rarely seeing homeowners or guests, along with strong odors of marijuana, a skunk-like smell emanating from the homes.
There have been other grow houses descended upon by law enforcement in recent months.
Read More:
Daily Bulletin: Authorities link marijuana grow houses
Fontana Herald News: Large marijuana grows found