UPDATE: Sheriff’s confirm suspect in marijuana operation at Mount Madonna County Park was shot by deputies. The wounded suspect was arrested around 3 p.m. near the scene, though his name is unknown at this time.
A second suspect – a male Hispanic – remains at large, according to Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Sgt. Jose Cardoza, who held a press conference at 3:15 p.m. at the park entrance.
Local agencies carried out a marijuana eradication mission early Thursday morning in Mount Madonna County Park near Sprig Lake.
As of 2:30 p.m. Thursday, the wounded suspect – reportedly he was shot in the arm – called dispatchers with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department to report his injury. Multiple shots were fired by deputies, according to Cardoza.
No deputies have been injured, Cardoza said.
The marijuana grow is located about two hours by foot from the main entrance to the county park, which is about 15 miles on Hecker Pass/Highway 152 west of Gilroy.
Authorizes arrived to Mount Madonna at 6 a.m. Thursday and made contact with the grow or suspects around 8 a.m., Cardoza said.
The investigation into eradicating this grow has been ongoing since March, and more eradication efforts will occur in the next weeks, he said.
Authorities from CHP posts in Santa Cruz and Hollister-Gilroy, as well as the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and park rangers responded to the scene, CHP Sgt. Brian Wittmer said.
Officials from California Fish and Game, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department, SWAT and Gilroy Police are at the scene assisting in the search and eradication. They are using K-9 units to track down suspects and ATVs to make their way further into the park. Also a Santa Clara County Sheriff’s helicopter is flying overhead searching.
There are several people camping in the park this afternoon, though none have been evacuated. Hecker Pass Highway has not been blocked off, though it’s slow going near the park entrance.
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