RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENTSheriff Chad Bianco |
Press Release: | Illegal Marijuana Grow Operation
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Station Area: | Lake Elsinore |
Written Date: | February 13, 2020 | Time: | 10:30 AM |
Incident Date: | February 13, 2020 | Time: | 7:20 AM |
Incident Location: | City of Lake Elsinore |
Reporting Officer: | Sergeant Glenn Warrington |
File Number(s): | L200240015 |
At the end of January, deputies assigned to the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Stations Problem Oriented Policing Team received complaints regarding possible illegal marijuana cultivation occurring within the city of Lake Elsinore, Riverside County. On February 13, 2020, at the direction of Sheriff Chad Bianco, deputies served a search warrant on the 4000 Block of Ash Street. As a result of the search warrant, marijuana plants were located and collected. In addition, the electrical system within the residence had been illegally altered causing a severe fire hazard and theft of utilities. The estimated theft of utilities was valued by a revenue protection specialist from Southern California Edison at approximately $19,000. A portion of the residence was transformed using common building materials into a marijuana cultivation site. The remainder of the residence was occupied by Andrew Vu (35-year-old) and Thu Vu (31-year-old) who are both residents of Lake Elsinore. Lake Elsinore Code Enforcement and Building and Safety deemed the house uninhabitable. Edison Company responded to the residence and turned the power off to the residence due to the illegal wiring throughout the residence.
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Andrew Vu | Thu Vu |
Andrew and Thu Vu (Husband and wife) were arrested and booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta for illegal marijuana cultivation, theft of utilities, maintaining a drug house, and possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute.
This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Deputy Meissen or Deputy Hernandez at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station (951) 245-3300.
As a reminder, "Community Policing" involves partnerships between law enforcement and community members. Business owners and residents are encouraged to report criminal activity directly to law enforcement by calling Sheriff’s Dispatch at (951) 776-1099, or by calling 911 if the matter is an emergency.
Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is seeking applicants for Deputy Sheriff, Deputy Sheriff Trainee, Correctional Deputy, Sheriff’s 911 Communications Officer, and other employment opportunities such as clerical and support positions. If you are interested in a career with us, please apply at www.joinrsd.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD |