10 arrested after robbery at Menifee marijuana grow house

Eight suspects from Northern California were arrested Wednesday following the early morning residential burglary of a Menifee residence that turned out to be a marijuana grow house, authorities said today.

The suspects – seven from Richmond and one from Sacramento – face charges of home invasion robbery, conspiracy, and possession of stolen property. In addition, two occupants of the residence were arrested for illegal cultivation of marijuana, according to a Menifee Police Department news release.

Officers responded at 12:30 a.m. to the report of a residential burglary in progress in the 26300 block of Bailey Court. They observed a male coming out of the residence, along with signs of forced entry. A Sheriff’s Department helicopter called to the scene located a nearby van in which six male subjects were discovered. In addition, officers located a male hiding in the backyard next to the location, along with a loaded handgun in the same yard.

Upon entering the residence, officers discovered an Asian male and female adult who were determined to be occupants of the residence. A search revealed 1,573 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, with a sophisticated lighting and ventilation system. The occupants of the residence who were arrested have not been identified because they were victims of a home invasion robbery, according to the news release.

The investigation revealed that the suspects arrived at the location with the intent to forcibly enter the residence. They stole property including cash and other items.

The suspect leaving the residence as officers arrived was identified as Vincente Huerta Lara of Richmond. The suspect found hiding in the backyard was identified as Manuel Alvarez of Richmond. The six suspects discovered in the van were identified as Jose Urenacanedo, Miguel Ochoa, Salvador Hernandez, Jose Mejia, and Deandre Hamilton of Richmond; and James Cash of Sacramento.

The Menifee Police Department code enforcement team responded to the location and found multiple municipal code violations. The residence was declared uninhabitable and was red tagged.