Five police patrol units stumbled upon an indoor marijuana growing operation this morning when officers responded to what was initially believed to be a commercial burglary at 230 Old Gilroy St.
Officers received a call at 7:56 a.m. from someone who drove by the location and saw a broken window, according to Police Sgt. Joseph Deras, who runs the Gilroy Police Department Anti-crime team.
“Once police got inside, they found out there was actually an indoor marijuana garden,” said Deras. “It looks like somebody went in there and ripped (the growers) off.”
Deras estimates the thieves made off with about 400 plants. GPD confiscated 100 or so of the remaining plants, which are in between infant and mature growth stages, according to Deras. It’s difficult to estimate the street value of 500 plants, as the worth depends on weight and maturity, Deras added.
No arrests have been made and there are no leads at this time, as the case is still developing, police say.
The pot burglars caused a lot of damage to the hydroponic equipment but did not take it, Deras said.
“They weren’t real clean about it,” he continued. “They ripped out a bunch of stuff and damaged a lot of equipment.”
In 2012 so far there have been several discoveries of indoor growing operations in Gilroy, Deras estimates.
Check back soon for updates.
