French Valley Chop Shop, Illegal Pot Grow Busted: Sheriff's Dept.

FRENCH VALLEY, CA — Southwest Riverside County sheriff's deputies arrested four people in a recent bust of a chop shop and illegal marijuana grow in the region, the agency reported Friday.

On June 20, deputies wrapped up a week-long investigation "regarding the suspected illegal cultivation of marijuana in the unincorporated area of French Valley," sheriff's Sgt. J. Wade said a news release.

Wade said a search warrant was served at a rural property in the 32300 block of Yates Road, which is near Pourroy and Benton roads.

"Upon serving the search warrant, the deputies located three (3) large green houses, which had been erected on the property for the sole purpose of operating an illegal marijuana grow," Wade said.

In total, sheriff's officials seized 3,300 pounds of marijuana plants, according to Wade.

"In addition, two (2) stolen vehicles were located in the garage and on the property," the sergeant said. "Both vehicles were in different stages of being stripped."

A total of six people were at the property when the warrant was served, Wade said. Four of them were arrested, as follows:

• Jesse Hobkirk, 27: Arrested on suspicion of running a CHOP shop operation, maintaining a drug house, and illegal cultivation of marijuana
• Ruben Renteria, 50: Arrested on a felony warrant for drug violations, possession of stolen property (stolen vehicle)
• Britain Wilson, 53: Arrested on suspicion of illegal cultivation of marijuana.
• Jose Luis Aguilar, 26: Arrested on suspicion of illegal cultivation of marijuana.

Jail records show Hobkirk posted $10,000 bail on Tuesday and was released from custody. Renteria remained jailed on a no-bail status. Booking records for Wilson and Aguilar were not immediately available.