What happened: A Boynton Beach man faces felony charges after Palm Beach County deputies said they found him harvesting saw palmetto berries at a protected natural area in Hypoluxo — then recovered about 500 pounds of berries nearby.
Background: Alejandro Raymundo Lucas, 22, was taken into custody Thursday at the Hypoluxo Scrub Natural Area , 150 Hypoluxo Road, according to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office probable cause affidavit. The property is under the control of Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management, deputies said.
A site manager had reported possible berry-picking activity at the natural area earlier in the week, the affidavit said. A deputy patrolling the site around 4:45 p.m.
said he spotted Lucas on an ADA trail harvesting berries. Lucas was wearing gloves and long clothing and had a red berry bucket and a large, heavy-duty harvesting bag commonly used for commercial collection, according to the report.
Deputies took Lucas into custody and secured berries they initially found with him as evidence. After more personnel arrived, deputies searched the area where Lucas had been picking and said they found and collected approximately 500 pounds of saw palmetto berries.
Lucas is charged with harvesting or destroying saw palmetto berries without permission, a felony; grand theft of property valued between $750 and $5,000; and a county ordinance violation.
The available details are limited to the information verified at publication time. Readers should expect updates as the matter develops.
Any person identified in connection with an alleged offense is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Source: official sources including CBS12 News.
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