RANCHO CUCAMONGA – (INT) – Two Ontario men are suspected of stealing a protected native sage plant.

The sage, which may appear to be a weed to the untrained eye, is protected by the California Endangered Species Act.

A sheriff’s deputy patrolling the Etiwanda Preserve caught the plant thieves helping themselves to the sage which is being increasingly picked and harvested. Its existence is in jeopardy.

Booked on a misdemeanor charge at the West Valley Detention Center were Celso Reyes, 23, and Luis Gomez, age 26.

Story Date: September 18, 2017