By Linda Williams/TWN Staff writer
Article Launched: 02/27/2008 11:56:10 AM PST
Fake police gear confiscated at the Ruddick-Cunningham Road residence on...
A February Ukiah raid on a Ruddick-Cunningham Road residence netted police more than the methamphetamines and marijuana they were seeking, officers also found counterfeit law enforcement gear such as a black "POLICE" and "NARCOTICS" bullet proof vest and cap, a badge and similar equipment. This outfit was similar, say police, to one found at another drug raid and investigators theorize it could be linked to several recent home invasion robberies in the Boonville and Ukiah areas. While this is one of the first confirmed cases in Mendocino County, similar crimes are much more common in the Bay Area, say police
"We are very concerned about this development," says Mendocino County sheriff's Lt. Ron Welch, "The next time we go out and serve a search warrant in uniform, the resident might believe they are being robbed and react violently, putting deputies and themselves at risk of injury."
Armed robbery of pot grow residences appears to be a growing problem in the north county as well, according to police sources, even if most are not being reported.
"It is becoming well known in the Bay Area that you can drive up to Mendocino County and drive to the end of any dirt road until you come to a house and those inside will have pot and money," says one officer.
Home invasion robberies involving marijuana are becoming more common, according to Mendocino Major Crimes Task Force Special Agent in Charge Robert Nishiyama, with many finding it easier to steal the marijuana than grow it. Since the growers are involved in an illegal business, they seldom report a robbery to the police, in part due to fear of retaliation from the robbers.
"These home invasion robbers are very violent people," says Nishiyama. "If the growers report them, they know where the growers live, making retaliation a concern."
Regarding the use of fake police gear, "If a dope dealer sees police at the door, he figures he is busted and usually opens the door. If he sees someone he doesn't know he doesn't open the door," says Nishiyama. "This has been an ongoing robbery method in the Bay Area but has been hard to confirm before now in Mendocino County."
BREAKING NEWS: Drug raid reveals police impersonations
ReplyDeleteBy K.C. MEADOWS The Daily Journal
Article Last Updated: 02/14/2008 11:32:47 AM PST
The county's drug task force served a search warrant at a home on Ruddick-Cunningham Road expecting to find methamphetamine and marijuana and found not only the drugs but evidence of a drug thieving operation which includes costumes with which the thieves are impersonating drug enforcement officers.
A black ball cap and bulletproof vest labeled "POLICE" and "NARCOTICS" along with handcuffs, a badge, holsters, hoods and a pair of black tactical pants were among the items seized from the three-bedroom home where two arrests were made.
Veronica Vega Sandoval and Juan Carlos Garcia Arreguin, both 35, were arrested at the scene. A person who lived at the house is being sought by police.
Children living in the home were at school at the time of the arrests.
Officers, with the help of the Task Force drug search dog found more than one quarter ounce of suspected methamphetamine in the house as well as two one-pound bags of trimmed marijuana buds and an estimated 10-pounds of untrimmed marijuana filling a blue plastic tub, approximately 20 gallons in size. Officers also seized a rifle.
According to Mendocino Major Crimes Task Force Commander Bob Nishiyama, the police-style costume is the same as one found in at least one other drug raid, and investigators believe it is linked to numerous home invasion robberies involving marijuana including several in Boonville and the most recent on Cow Mountain in December.
Nishiyama said these robberies are becoming more common.
He said people involved in drugs have found it is easier to steal marijuana than grow it themselves.
"They'd find who was finished harvesting, who had the bulk marijuana, and rob them," Nishiyama said. He said he believed there were many more home invasions of drugs than were reported, especially among victims who are Hispanic and don't feel comfortable contacting law enforcement.
Mendocino County Sheriff's Det. Sgt. Greg Van Patten, on hand with other sheriff's deputies to assist at the scene, said the impersonation of officers is particularly disturbing.
"Not only do the victims think it was us, but when we go on our lawful seizures, will people think they're being robbed?" he said.
The scene outside the home - which investigators say was a Section 8 HUD rental for low income residents - was littered with pieces of equipment, car parts, at least five vehicles, two boats, a horse trailer, trampoline, children's bicycles and go-carts, all in varying states of repair.
Also on the property were a flock of hens, several geese and at least two suspected cock-fighting roosters. The house was equipped with a security camera.
http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/ci_8261724