Operation Green Thumb: Busted! 

December 18, 2025 – Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office officials announce recent arrest of suspect found with stolen plants.

What do you get when stolen trees, plants, and a flea market collide? A rooted criminal enterprise — and a case cracked wide open by our High Impact Team!

Thanks to a community tip about a home in Almaden Valley and some sharp detective work, we unearthed a leafy trail of thefts where suspects turned stolen live goods into flea market profits.

Over the course of a year, suspects stole plants from Lowe's Home Improvement and The Home Depot stores across County of Santa Clara, and Alameda County, delivering them to a residence on Bertram Road in San Jose.

In September, West Valley patrol deputies arrested Steven Barron, 37, of San Jose, following a theft at Ace Hardware in City of Saratoga, CA. Detectives later linked him to dozens of thefts.

Last month, a search warrant was served at the home, uncovering nearly $11,000 in stolen merchandise, cash, and cars packed with pilfered plants.

Jesus Chavez, 84, and Concepcion Buenocamacho, 54, both of San Jose, were arrested alongside Barron and charged with organized retail theft, conspiracy, and receiving stolen property.

The flea market foliage hustle has officially been UPROOTED!

Source & photos: Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office