Thieves posing as cops, steal 500 marijuana plants, cash and a pickup in Calaveras County

Armed suspects in Calaveras County posing as law enforcement officials stole about 500 marijuana plants, a large amount of cash and a pickup, tying up some of the victims as they were robbed.

The robbery was first reported about 8:30 p.m. Friday. Calaveras County sheriff's deputies were called to the 22000 block of Highway 26 in West Point, just south of West Point Elementary School.

Four victims told the deputies the robbery occurred earlier that day at a marijuana grow site on Skull Flat Road in West Point. Two vehicles reportedly entered a property on Skull Flat Road.

The victims said about five or six people inside the suspect vehicles identified themselves as law enforcement officials. At least three of the suspects were armed with guns, and the suspects tied-up two of the victims, according to sheriff's officials.

One of the suspects reportedly was wearing what appeared to be law enforcement badge but did not display any other law enforcement identification or markings on a uniform.

The suspects left the property with the stolen marijuana plants, the cash, and a black Ford F-250 pickup with a California license plate number 8D0453. The victims said they did not know the suspects, who arrived at the property in a silver sport utility vehicle and a red pickup.

Sheriff's officials did not release other details about the robbery, fearing it could harm their investigation.

Authorities reminded the public that sheriff's deputies have identifiable uniforms with badges and shoulder patches. Deputies wearing plain clothes on duty carry their department-issued badges and identification cards.

Sheriff's officials said residents should ask to see a department-issued identification card or call 911 is they believe someone might be posing as a law enforcement official.

Investigators asked anyone with information about this robbery to call the Calaveras County Sheriff's Department at (209) 754-6500 and ask for detectives, or can call the department's anonymous tip line at (209) 754-6030.

This story was originally published October 15, 2017 at 2:08 PM with the headline "Thieves posing as cops, steal 500 marijuana plants, cash and a pickup in Calaveras County."