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Home Invasion Investigation Led To Grow House

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Ken Knight / TBO.com

Published: November 5, 2007

Updated: 11/05/2007 05:16 pm

Read The Press Release

POINCIANA - A home invasion and armed robbery led Polk County sheriff's deputies to uncover a grow house operation Sunday.

Raul Liranzo Bandera

The latest in a series of grow house discoveries in Polk County occurred shortly after noon Sunday when sheriff's deputies were called to check on a disturbance at 341 Kingfish Drive, Polk County sheriff's spokeswoman Donna Wood said in a news release.

Deputies arrested a father and son on the scene, accused of assaulting a man and forcing him back into a house where marijuana plants were being grown, the news release stated.

Raul Liranzo Cruzata, 39, and his son, Raul Liranzo Bandera, 20, both of 30521 SW 188th Court in Homestead, were booked into the Polk County Jail on charges of armed kidnapping, armed robbery and occupied burglary with battery. Both men remained jailed Monday without bond.

Pedro Gonzalez

About 12:17 p.m., a man identified as Pedro Gonzalez, 27, of 341 Kingfish Drive, was approached by three men when he walked out of the garage, authorities said. Gonzalez was struck by an unknown object and forced back into the house. The three men ransacked the house. They cut and removed marijuana plants being cultivated inside.

Gonzalez managed to break away during the armed robbery, the release said.

Neighbors contacted the authorities, who arrested Liranzo Cruzata and his son on the scene. The third bandit got away. No description was available.

Gonzalez was arrested after he was treated for cuts to his head at Heart of Florida Hospital in Lake Wales. He was charged with cultivating cannabis, trafficking cannabis over 25 pounds and maintaining a dwelling for drug use and sale, records show. His bail was set at $21,000.

Raul Liranzo Cruzata

Inside the house, detectives found 62 plants and elaborate lighting and irrigation systems. Two air conditioning units were outside and the windows were covered.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd credits residents with helping his deputies uncover pot grow house across the county this year.

By the end of October, Polk County deputies had dismantled 30 grow house operations, recovered more than 5,000 plants and arrested 54 suspects, the sheriff's release stated.

More than $28,000 and a 2005 Ford Mustang have been seized.

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