Amador County – Amador County Sheriff’s deputies discovered an indoor marijuana growing operation last week after a stolen truck was crashed through a cemetery.

Amador County Undersheriff Jim Wegner released details about the incident Friday. He said on April 30 at 4:01 p.m., the Amador County Sheriff’s Department received a call from the Amador Memorial Cemetery regarding a pickup truck that had had driven through the cemetery, damaging headstones and striking a pole. 

As a Deputy responded to the scene, the Department received a call regarding a vehicle driving recklessly through Buckhorn. The vehicle description was consistent with the pickup truck involved in the vandalism at the cemetery. Updated information was received that the vehicle was last seen on Meadow Drive.

The deputy sheriff responding to the calls checked the area and found the Ford pickup truck parked at a residence on Creekside Drive in Pioneer. The vehicle displayed a license plate reportedly stolen in San Francisco.

Upon the arrival of another Deputy and a CHP officer, the vehicle was approached and Robert Jason Figone, 41, of Redwood City was found hiding inside. Figone was detained. It was ultimately determined the vehicle was reported stolen. A search of the vehicle revealed equipment utilized in the indoor cultivation of marijuana.

Upon approaching the residence, the deputies smelled the odor of marijuana, and through a window they could see marijuana plants being cultivated. The Amador County Combined Narcotics Enforcement Team responded and secured the residence pending the issuance of a search warrant. Figone was released to the CHP who arrested him for vehicle theft and possession of stolen property. 

The investigation against Figone for felony vandalism of a cemetery is being forwarded by the Sheriff’s Department to the Amador County District Attorney for prosecution.

Wegner said upon execution of the search warrant, ACCNET Agents found a residence that was utilized solely for the indoor cultivation and processing of marijuana. The home had two grow-rooms, one drying-room, and one processing-room.

The suspect or suspects had bypassed the electrical meter, stealing utilities. Although it was evident a large number of mature marijuana plants had already been harvested and moved from the residence, approximately 5 pounds of processed marijuana and 120 marijuana plants were still located at the premise.

There was no evidence found at the scene to indicate the marijuana was being cultivated for medicinal purposes. Posted material connecting Figone to the residence was located at the scene.

The investigation into the commercial marijuana cultivation operation is on-going.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.