Man arrested for using stolen power to operate marijuana grow house
Jun 11, 2015, 7:05 PM | Updated: 7:06 pm
PHOENIX — An investigation into an extraordinarily high consumption of power from a power grid led to the arrest of one man and the seizure of nearly 300 marijuana plants, according to a recent press release.
Maricopa County detectives arrested John Webrand, a 28-year-old Glendale resident, Tuesday after discovering he was using stolen power from an APS power grid to operate what officials believe was a marijuana grow house.
At the time of his arrest, detectives discovered 256 marijuana plants and approximately $5,000 in cash.
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said grow houses are becoming increasingly popular in the Valley.
“Although we have had a couple large marijuana seizures coming across the border recently, it seems local marijuana grow houses are beginning to pop-up throughout Maricopa County,” he said in the press release.
Webrand was booked on nine felonies, ranging from criminal damage of a public utility to possession of equipment to produce illegal narcotics, according to the press release.
