LASD personnel arrested four people for conspiracy to commit a crime, cultivation and transportation

For the past few weeks there has been a high influx of water theft in the east county area where Lancaster Station patrols.

The water being stolen is being used to irrigate illegal marijuana grows. Per Public Works, if the pressure gets to low, the fire hydrants are at risk and additionally potable drinking water can be compromised.

These water thieves are using almost any type of vehicle/containers they can to transport the stolen water such as large tanker water trucks, water cubed containers within backs of beds, trailers with water tanks. It’s common that these vehicles are traveling on public roadways, with drivers who are typically operating the vehicle either out of class for the commercial truck being used, with expired registration or without valid proof of insurance.

Yesterday afternoon, Lancaster Station teamed up with the California Department of Fish and Game and CHP for a joint agency operation to combat these thefts.

LASD personnel arrested four people for conspiracy to commit a crime, cultivation and transportation of marijuana, transportation of marijuana for sale and illegal possession of a firearm. LASD personnel also impounded and/or stored 32 vehicles and the California Highway Patrol impounded and/or stored 16 vehicles. All of the vehicles towed were being used to transport water, marijuana, or materials used to cultivate marijuana.

A phenomenal job and amazing team work by all! Your deputies are out there working hard for our community!

Lancaster Sheriff's Station

CHP - Antelope Valley

California Department of Fish and Wildlife