CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Police officers have arrested a Clearlake man believed to be involved in the cultivation and sales of marijuana.

David Russell Moses, 55, was taken into custody on Thursday after leading officers on a short foot pursuit when Officers attempted to contact him in connection with a search warrant service on property he owns, according to Lt. Tim Celli.

At around 8:30 p.m. Thursday Clearlake Police officers served two search warrants in the 3700 block of Pine Avenue, Celli said.

Celli said both locations were involved in the cultivation of marijuana. Evidence connecting a third location consisting of a remote gate opener linking the residence location was located inside one of the marijuana grow sites.

He said the third location was directly across the street from the two grow sites and also was discovered to be Moses' home.

On Friday, Celli said it was unknown if all three locations are linked, however, at least two of them have been connected.

As a result of the search warrant service, Celli said officers discovered one location contained two very large “hoop houses” in the backyard. Approximately 30 marijuana plants were located inside the hoop houses; however it appeared as though numerous marijuana plants had been recently removed from one of them.

No one was located at the residence however the gate opener for Moses’ house was located at this property. In addition, a canine belonging to Moses was also inside the fenced yard of this property, Celli said.

There was a medical recommendation at this location for the marijuana, however, there also was a written agreement located that indicated that the property was rented for the purpose of growing marijuana and once sold, profits would be shared. Celli said this was a clear indication that the grow site was for commercial purpose.

When officers went across the street to Moses’ house to contact him, he was observed by a police officer to be hiding in an adjacent wooded field next to his house. When officers attempted to contact him, he ran, leading officers on a short foot pursuit. Celli said Moses was taken into custody approximately 70 yards away.

Due to the evidence located at the grow site connecting Moses to it, a search warrant was obtained for Moses’ residence as well, Celli said.

After that search warrant was served, officers located a loaded shotgun in a room believed to be Moses’. Celli said Moses is prohibited from possessing any firearms due to his convicted felon status.

Officers also located other weapons such as a flashlight Taser and pepper spray, all of which he is prohibited from possessing, Celli said. Approximately 24 pounds of high grade, processed marijuana and indications that the marijuana was possessed for sale also were located at the residence.

Six growing marijuana plants were located at Moses’ house and were not seized. This was believed to be Moses' personal medicinal marijuana and therefore was not considered criminal, Celli said.

Moses was later booked into the Lake County Jail for possession of marijuana for sale, resisting arrest, felon in possession of firearm, possession of weapons prohibited by a felon and cultivation. His bail was set at $15,000, and jail records indicated he posted the required portion of bail and was released.

Celli said officers served another search warrant at a property two doors down from the first location. As a result of that search warrant service, approximately 3,329 marijuana plants in various stages of growth were seized. Also located at that property was a Glock handgun with an extended 32-round magazine.

Most of this residence had been converted into an indoor grow house. Celli said it appeared that the marijuana plants were started inside the residence and then the marijuana plants were moved outside.

The person responsible for this location has not been confirmed at this time and is still under investigation, Celli said. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Det. Elvis Cook, telephone 707-994-8251, Extension 315.

Celli said the Clearlake Police Department has no interest in legal medicinal marijuana grows that are in compliance with the city ordinance.

However, police highly recommend any citizen desiring to grow medicinal marijuana follow the permit process or risk code violations and civil penalties through Code Enforcement.

There is currently an ordinance in effect that requires individuals to apply for a permit to grow medicinal marijuana in the city of Clearlake. Information on the permit process can be located at the City of Clearlake Web site at www.clearlake.ca.us or at City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

Additionally, marijuana ordinance information has been disbursed to local businesses that deal with medicinal marijuana, such as the dispensaries and business involved in hydroponics. This ordinance will be enforced by the Code Enforcement Department.