Suspects in Forestville pot theft named

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office identified three people who were arrested Saturday afternoon in a car full of freshly cut pot plants in the aftermath of a marijuana theft and assault near Forestville, authorities said.

The suspects, all Santa Rosa residents, are Richard Allen Woodard and Leroy Antonio Green Jr., both 52, and Jessica Kim Luevano, 36, Lt. Ed Hoener said. They are suspected of ripping off a pot garden near Highway 116 and Ross Station Road in Forestville, authorities said.

The trio was stopped near Occidental and High School roads outside Sebastopol shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday by a CHP officer. Their SUV matched the description of a vehicle that had fled from an earlier altercation later determined to be part of a marijuana theft.

The suspects are believed to have cut down about 10 plants before being confronted by someone associated with the garden. A bystander who observed an argument and then saw someone banging on the car with a crowbar tipped authorities to the incident, prompting the vehicle stop.

Authorities said the man who confronted the suspected thieves was assaulted but did not require hospitalization.

All three suspects were arrested for suspicion of armed robbery and conspiracy, while Luevano also was arrested for suspected drunken driving. She remained in the custody of the Sonoma County Jail on Sunday, with bail of $50,000.

Woodard was jailed on a no bail hold because of a suspected parole violation. Green had been released, after posting bond for $50,000 bail, jail personnel said.

You can reach Staff Writer Mary Callahan at 521-5249 or mary.callahan@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @MaryCallahanB.