Santa Rosa police have arrested three of six people suspected of operating a hash oil lab in a warehouse in west Santa Rosa, a police sergeant said.
One of the suspects was arrested at a Forestville residence, and the others two surrendered this week, Sgt. Rich Celli said. Two suspects are believed to have fled the state and the sixth suspect's wherabouts are unknown, Celli said.
Police investigated a structure fire July 19 at 3158 Condo Court, identified as A-1 Top Quality Painting, after evidence of a hash oil lab operation was found.
The cause of the fire was the ignition of butane fumes sparked by a warming plate inside the illicit lab, Celli said.
Police learned the business, allegedly operating as a front for the lab, was owned by Thomas J. Warren, 63, of Forestville, Celli said.
Narcotics detectives found a sophisticated lab with more than 1,500 pounds of marijuana and processed marijuana hash oil, Celli said. They also found 12,782 unused 10-ounce butane canisters, approximately 3,500 used 10-ounce butane canisters and multiple containers of extracted hash oil inside the building, Celli said.
After a roughly six-week investigation, police identified six suspects involved in the hash oil lab, Celli said.
Local
Warren turned himself in at the Sonoma County Jail on Tuesday.
Yves W. Smith, 38, of Santa Rosa, was arrested Sept. 1 at Warren's Forestville residence, and Jacqueline Christman, 51, of Santa Rosa turned herself in to authorities Wednesday, Celli said.
Terry A. Mitchell, 32 and Megan R. Mitchell, 27, both of Forestville, are believed to have fled to Iowa, and the whereabouts of Robert Reuskins, 23, of Windsor are unknown, Celli said.
