JURUPA VALLEY: Marijuana grow suspected as cause that destroyed residence

JURUPA VALLEY – A man was arrested after a fire destroyed a home Saturday, Dec. 3. The fire happened in the 6900 block of Pearl Street in Jurupa Valley.

After the fire was extinguished, a resident of the property, identified as Guillermo Romero, 46, of Jurupa Valley, was arrested. He was booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center for marijuana cultivation, according to Riverside County Sheriff’s Sergeant Christian Dekker

The fire was first spotted about 8:28 a.m., by deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Jurupa Valley Police station. After deputies observed smoke coming from the area of Mission Boulevard and Valley Way, they began searching the area and located a large structure fire at a home on Pearl Street.

Deputies immediately evacuated two occupants of the residence while they summoned Cal Fire/Riverside County firefighters to the blaze.

37 firefighters from nine engine companies and one truck company responded to the residential fire, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire spokeswoman April Newman. They were assisted by a Breathing Support Unit and a Medic Squad.

“Firefighters arrived on scene of an approximately 1,800 square foot single-story ranch house, with heavy smoke visible to the rear of the structure,” Newman explained while firefighters were still battling the blaze. “There is a well established fire to the rear of the house and the interior.”

In spite of firefighter’s efforts, the home was quickly engulfed in flames due to the high winds, which were hampering the firefighter’s efforts. Due to heavy winds in the area, additional engine companies responded to the incident about 9 a.m.

Fire officials summoned Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Company to shut off utilities to the residence while firefighters battled the fire.

As firefighters were working to control the blaze, they located a suspected marijuana cultivation operation and reported it to possibly be the cause of the structure fire.

While firefighters were still fighting the fire, deputies secured the residence as a crime scene and summoned the Riverside Sheriff’s Marijuana Eradication Team (MET) to the scene. MET officials assumed the investigation into the fire and suspected marijuana grow.

MET officials sought and obtained a search warrant for the residence. As a result of the search warrant, official located and seized evidence of a marijuana cultivation operation.

Firefighters had the blaze under control about one hour after deputies reported the fire, shortly after 9:30 a.m. Fire officials estimated the loss at about $350,000. In spite of the home being destroyed, firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to nearby residences.

Fire resources remained on scene for about two hours for extensive overhaul.

“The American Red Cross responded to the incident to assist one adult displaced by the fire,” Newman reported.

“The Sheriff’s Department would like to remind landlords, property owners and renters that growing and selling marijuana for profit remains illegal in California,” Dekker explained after the fire. “Those who allow marijuana cultivation on their property are subject to arrest and prosecution.”

For additional information visit a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department webpage dedicated to informing citizens about marijuana cultivation.

A jail record search revealed Romero was cited and released within hours of his arrest. His arraignment is scheduled to be held at the Riverside Hall of Justice Feb. 8, 2017.

This investigation is ongoing, and the Jurupa Valley Police Department has requested that anyone with additional information contact Deputy R. Carrasco at (951) 955-2600. Callers can refer to incident file number JV16338063 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including the Robert Presley Detention Center, the Southwest Station in Temecula, the Hemet Station, and the Lake Elsinore Station, along with many other locations.