“Thanks for the grow! You want them back? Call for the price [phone number]. We’ll talk.”

The suspected grower, Steven Locascio, 48, discovered his plants missing and found the note only minutes after investigators left the scene.  He promptly called the number hoping to negotiate the return of his six 6-foot-tall plants. After speaking with an undercover detective, Locascio agreeed to meet and pay a $200 ransom to get his plants back. After handing over the cash, he was arrested.

Police later served a search warrant on Locascio’s home where they found 20 smaller plants and 4 pounds of harvested marijuana. Locascio and his wife, Christine Locascio, 50, were both charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and sale of marijuana.

Photo by: Heart of Oak