Oakhurst man arrested in fertilizer theft to grow marijuana

A man was arrested in Oakhurst on Thursday morning after deputies served a search warrant at his home, where he admitted to stealing from a local nursery to cultivate his illegal marijuana growing operation, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office said.

Detectives served the warrant in the 49000 block of Pierce Drive and found the indoor marijuana cultivation as well as the stolen nursery items. During questioning, Jacob Clendenning, 32, admitted to stealing fertilizer and soil from the nursery “too many (times) to remember.”

Clendenning was also using an illegal PG&E electrical bypass to cultivate the marijuana. Firearms were also found in the home, including an illegal short-barreled shotgun, the sheriff’s office said.

While the warrant was being served, Nicole Naumcheff, 24, arrived at the home and was arrested on suspicion of possession of narcotics for sale, the sheriff’s office said.

Clendenning was arrested on suspicion of cultivation of marijuana, possession of a short-barreled shotgun, theft of utilities and possession of stolen property, the sheriff’s office said.

This story was originally published July 7, 2016 at 7:18 PM with the headline "Oakhurst man arrested in fertilizer theft to grow marijuana."