PLANT CITY, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two individuals for allegedly stealing a substantial amount of saw palmetto berries. This
On Monday, August 26, 2024, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Agricultural Crimes Unit responded to a tip from a property owner who witnessed trespassers harvesting palmetto berries on their property in the 5000 block of US Highway 41.
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The owner provided a photo of the suspect’s vehicle, which led deputies to Heladio Gonzalez-Hernandez, 39, and Maria Hernandez-Santiago, 42, at a residence in Plant City. Both were arrested without incident.
Gonzalez-Hernandez and Hernandez-Santiago face charges of Possession or Exchange of Unlawfully Harvested Saw Palmetto Berries and Unlawful Destruction or Harvest of Saw Palmetto Berries. A total of 801 pounds of illegally harvested berries were recovered.
“I could not be more proud of the work our Agricultural Crimes Unit does here in our community, standing as a frontline defender for our county’s natural resources,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Their commitment ensures that these resources are protected from reckless exploitation, protecting the future of our habitats and preserving the environment for generations to come.”
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