"Chmukh, a resident of Citrus Heights in Sacramento County, was apprehended the night of Nov. 7, after California Fish and Wildlife officers spotted moving lights at Ocean Cove, just south of Salt Point State Park - "the kind of lights that usually mean someone is doing more than sightseeing," according to a report posted by the state agency on social media. Surveilling from a distance, officers then observed "several individuals" moving through the cove "and placing items into containers.""
"Ocean Cove was experiencing a negative tide that evening, meaning the sea level was lower than even a normal low tide, creating tide pools and exposing other features that are usually submerged. As the group made its way back to the access road above the cove, "officers positioned themselves out of sight and waited," the post recounted. They apprehended Chmukh, who was carrying a bag containing 15 poached red abalone, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife."
Andrii Chmukh, 34, appeared in Sonoma County Superior Court and requested a Ukrainian language interpreter; his next appearance was scheduled for Jan. 5. Chmukh was apprehended the night of Nov. 7 at Ocean Cove near Salt Point State Park after California Fish and Wildlife officers observed moving lights and people placing items into containers. The cove experienced a negative tide that exposed tide pools and usually submerged features. Officers detained Chmukh carrying a bag with 15 poached red abalone. He was booked on suspicion of taking and possessing abalone with intent to sell. Red abalone harvest has been suspended in California since 2018.
Read at The Mercury News
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