Man arrested for alleged utility theft connected with French Valley cannabis grow

FRENCH VALLEY (CNS) - A New York man was behind bars Thursday after being arrested for allegedly stealing power to grow marijuana illegally in French Valley.Deputies served a search warrant in the 37000 block of River Oats Lane on Wednesday, chopping down 1,425 unpermitted marijuana plants found growing indoors, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said.Deputies also found the house's electrical system had been tampered with to divert power that was not paid for, creating a fire hazard, according to the department.Southern California Edison said the total theft of utilities amounted to $202,333, sheriff's officals said.Bixiang Dong, 39, of Queens, New York, was arrested on suspicion of stealing electricity and illegal marijuana cultivation.He remains held at the So
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