Attempted Robbery of Legal Cannabis Farm Ends with Two Arrested 

September 3, 2025 – Grass Valley, CA – Nevada County Sheriff's Office officials report that in the early morning hours on Sept. 1, a group of reportedly armed individuals attempted to rob a legal cannabis farm and home in the Grass Valley area*. The property owners’ alarm system was activated as they attempted to break open a side door and the suspects fled. The property owners were home at the time of the incident and were unharmed.

Image by Jörg Husemann from Pixabay 

Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) deputies responded to the property while other NCSO deputies conducted an area check for the suspects. Two vehicles, believed to be associated with the attempted robbery, were located in the vicinity. Vehicle enforcement stops were initiated but the drivers failed to yield and fled southbound on Highway 49 toward Auburn with deputies in pursuit. The drivers operated at excessive and unsafe speeds and failed to stop for red lights and stop signs, putting other motorists at risk. The deputies eventually lost sight of the vehicles and local law enforcement partners were notified. 

Placer County Sheriff's Office deputies spotted the two vehicles traveling westbound on Interstate 80 and officers of the City of Roseville, California Police Department conducted high-risk, felony vehicle stops near I-80 and Rocklin Rd. that resulted in the apprehension of two suspects from one of the vehicles. The other vehicle remains at large.

The apprehended driver was identified as Santana Sanchez-Ortiz, 21, of Oakland and the passenger was identified as Zakaria Homran, 19, of Oakland. NCSO deputies searched their associated vehicle and located several burglary-related tools and supplies.

Sanchez-Ortiz was arrested by NCSO and booked into Wayne Brown Correctional Facility for alleged attempted robbery - 664/211 PC; evading a peace officer without regard for public safety - 2800.2 (a) CVC; conspiracy to commit crime – 182 PC; participating in a criminal street gang - 186.22(A) PC; felony committed while on bail - 12022.1 PC; and second-degree burglary - 459 PC.

Homran was arrested by NCSO and booked into Wayne Brown Correctional Facility for alleged attempted robbery - 664/211 PC; second degree burglary - 459 PC; conspiracy to commit crime – 182 PC; and participating in a criminal street gang - 186.22(A) PC.

This case remains under investigation by NCSO detectives with follow-up work in progress. NCSO would like to thank Placer County Sheriff’s Office and Roseville Police Department for their direct involvement and assistance in these arrests.

*The name of the legal cannabis farm and address are being withheld to protect the victims.

Source: Nevada County Sheriff's Office