During the day, this Strathmore neighborhood is quiet. Some neighbors sit outside and watch. Lately, most eyes have been on one home and the person who owns it, Candelario Moran.
A man who didn't want to be identified said Moran has been growing marijuana in his backyard and selling it. "We have watched cars pull up in there, 10 to 15 minutes and they're gone." He added, "What do drugs breed? They breed gang activity, with gang activity you have weapons and people with weapons have a tendency to take things."
It all came to a violent end Tuesday night. According to the Tulare County Sheriff's Department, two men forced their way into the home with a gun. One of the residents escaped while another grabbed a gun to defend herself.
Sergeant Chris Douglass said that's when gunfire was exchanged.
"The (home invasion) suspect was shot and is now deceased, the second suspect fled the area on foot. There was a search for that person and we are still looking for that person," she said.
Neighbors say the men were there to steal marijuana and there was plenty inside the home. Investigators say they found 400 pounds of it, worth $1.6 million. They also found large amounts of cash and guns.
The focus then turned to Moran and he was arrested Wednesday morning. Detectives believe he was selling on the street and forcing his kids to live in a dangerous environment.
A neighbor said, "I am very sad that a father felt the only way he could make a living was to engage and involve himself in something that illegal."
Authorities are still searching for one man involved with the home invasion. If you have any information, call police.
TXT 24
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