SAN JOSE (KRON) — One suspect is in custody and two others remain at large after a marijuana raid in San Jose’s Alum Rock Park in San Jose, according to authorities.
Authorities launched the raid after surveillance video tipped them off to the grow operation in the park. Around 7,500 marijuana plants were removed at the illegal grow site, a Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office spokesman said.
When authorities approached the area where the marijuana was being grown, three suspects were spooked and fled, according to police.
Officers were able to apprehend one suspect, but the other two, who are described as shirtless Hispanic males, remain at large. Deputies called off the search for the two outstanding suspects because the search reached an area without radio reception, according to Sgt. James Jensen.
A search for the remaining two suspects was called off about 2 p.m.
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 remains closed for the rest of Friday as the search for the suspects continues, 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 have been notified of the incident, were taken to Emma Prusch Farm Park at 647 S. King Road, according to city officials.
