Manhunt Underway For Suspects After 7,500 Marijuana Plants Found At Grow Site Near Alum Rock Park
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- One man was arrested and around 7,500 marijuana plants were removed Friday at an illegal grow site east of San Jose's Alum Rock Park, a Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office spokesman said.
Members of the sheriff's Marijuana Eradication Team were approaching the illegal grow site in the foothills, which they planned to eradicate, around 7 a.m. when they came across three men, sheriff's Sgt. James Jensen said.
One of the men was immediately taken into custody with the help of a K-9 unit and suffered minor injuries, he said.
The two other men fled and have not been found as of Friday afternoon, he said.
Deputies called off the search for the two outstanding suspects because the search reached an area without radio reception, according to Jensen.
The grow site was in "an extremely rural area" at least half a mile away from any roads, Jensen said.
The outstanding suspects are described as two shirtless Hispanic men, both in their 20s, Jensen said.
A deputy also suffered minor injuries during the course of the raid, according to Jensen.
Two semi-automatic handguns were found near the illegal grow, Jensen said.
Deputies recovered 7,500 marijuana plants with a street value of $16 million from the illegal grow site taken out of the area by helicopter, Jensen said.
Alum Rock Park remained closed for the rest of Friday but will reopen Saturday, city officials announced on Twitter.
A Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority bus was called to transport children and counselors at a summer camp at the park, Jensen said.
The children, whose parents were notified of the incident, were taken to Emma Prusch Farm Park at 647 S. King Road, according to city officials.
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