HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Two people face charges in the theft of more than 800 pounds of saw palmetto berries.

Deputies arrested Heladio Gonzalez-Hernandez, 39, and Maria Hernandez-Santiago, 42, at a residence in Plant City after the August 26 berry theft at a farm in the 5000 block of US Highway 41 in Ruskin.

The haul of illegally harvested berries weighed 801 pounds, according to officials.  

They were arrested and taken into custody without incident.

Gonzalez-Hernandez and Hernandez-Santiago are both facing charges of possession or exchange of unlawfully harvested saw palmetto berries and unlawful destruction or harvest of saw palmetto berries.

"I could not be more proud of the work our Agricultural Crimes Unit does here in our community, standing as a frontline defender for our county's natural resources," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Their commitment ensures that these resources are protected from reckless exploitation, protecting the future of our habitats and preserving the environment for generations to come."