PARADISE, Calif. – Paradise Police say they eradicated nearly 300 marijuana plants on June 11, but the suspect got away.

It all happened in a heavily wooded and remote area off of Fickett Lane. Officers were called to the area after someone reported possible squatters in the area.

When they arrived on the scene, officers say a man immediately ran from the property. Police had help from a K-9 to search the surrounding area but, they did not find the man.

On the property, officials found 281 marijuana plants in three areas that had been cleared of brush. Officers say they also found generators, pumps and plastic tubing that was all being used to pump water from the creek to irrigate the grow.

The grow was a violation of felony cultivation and diversion of water flow, in addition to Town of Paradise municipal codes.

“The Paradise Police Department would like to remind citizens to pay attention to their neighborhoods and report any suspicious activity, people, or vehicles in Town,” officials shared in a press release. “Vigilant citizens reporting suspicious behavior helps Officers address these types of situations as they arise.”

Officials say the man left an aggressive pit bull in the area guarding the grow. Paradise Animal Control responded to the Fickett Lane scene and got the dog.