Investigators: Four men reportedly set trap, approach woman with guns near Old Coast Road

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION)

UPDATE 8/6/2020 4:30 p.m. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office confirms that a small marijuana grow was found in the area where four armed men allegedly approached an arborist after setting a trap.

The arborist tells KION she is still coming to terms with the terrifying incident. "I don't know what they wanted. I don't know why they were there. They yelled "alto" at me. I know that is Spanish for "stop". Being a woman in the middle of the woods, with no cell reception, by myself, with my tires deflating, I felt like I was at risk," said Andrea.

UPDATE 8/5/20 10 p.m. - The search for the believed four armed suspects in Big Sur has been called off for the night, according to the Monterey County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff's office spokesperson John Thornburg says Wednesday's search ended at sunset, but the investigation continues into who the men are that approached a woman on Old Coast Road, after her car tires were flattened by what has been described as a "booby trap." California Highway Patrol says someone might have set the trap, described as spikes or nails on wood.

Law enforcement is not confirming if anything suspicious was found during the search for the suspects. However, several anonymous sources told KION earlier that the investigation may involve an illegal drug compound. The sheriff's office says they have received reports of "some sort of possible illegal grow," but haven't determined if the reports are true.

"If it is a grow of some sort or an illegal operation of some sort and these four were attached to that, we'll certainly see if the investigation uncovers that and if it does, we'll follow up on that," Thornburg said.

This is a developing story.

UPDATE 8/5/2020 6 p.m. Residents are being evacuated in the area where four men allegedly set a trap and approached a woman with automatic weapons.

The California Highway Patrol is helping with traffic control, and people are asked to avoid the area.

Several anonymous sources tell KION that the investigation may involve an illegal drug compound.

PREVIOUS STORY: The Monterey County Sheriff's Office said four men with automatic weapons reportedly pulled a gun on a tree trimmer on Old Coast Road.

The incident was first reported at about 11 a.m.

The CHP said a tree trimmer was driving in the area, got a flat tire and went out to check it. They believe someone had set a trap, possibly with spikes, wood or nails. When the woman got out of the vehicle, the CHP said she was approached by four men with guns and called 911.

The Sheriff's Office, SWAT team, State Parks and the CHP responded to the scene.

This is a developing story. Keep checking back for more details.