INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — Three Fort Pierce men were arrested after Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers said they found people illegally harvesting saw palmetto berries at Buffer Preserve State Park near Fellsmere.
FWC officers responded Sept. 30 after receiving a report that at least two people were harvesting berries in the park, according to arrest affidavits.
Officers said they found freshly cut palmetto stems, bags and fresh footprints before spotting two men hiding in palmetto bushes. The men were surrounded by berry bags, freshly picked stems and a machete, the affidavits said…