Did you read the article?
They broke in and set off an alarm, the local cops responded, the pentesters showed their credentials, and there was no issue.
Then the sheriff arrived, was butthurt because he felt left out and wanted to show his authority, and caused these guys 6 years of grief for literally no reason at all.
> the local cops responded
Extremely dangerous and irresponsible for the county not to alert the local police and Sheriffs office that this operation was taking place.
I'm glad these guys got their money.