Police update marijuana-dispensary smash-in

On Saturday (May 30), the Straight published a breaking story about an East Vancouver cannabis dispensary that appeared to have had its storefront rammed by a vehicle in a robbery attempt. Neither the store employees nor the Vancouver police provided details at the time. Today, VPD spokesperson Randy Fincham provided a media release with confirmed information. The release follows in its entirety.

On May 30th around 4:30 a.m., the Stressed and Depressed Association illegal marijuana store located at 1353 East 41st Avenue was broken into by driving a vehicle through the front door. An undisclosed amount of marijuana products were taken.

Shortly after 5 a.m., the Canna Clinic Marijuana Dispensary located at 2437 East Hastings Street was also broken into by driving a vehicle through the front of the store. The second break in was interrupted by police.

The vehicle was located a short time later after the driver crashed into a tree in the 3000 block of East 54th Avenue. The driver ran from the scene, but was located a short time later through the use of a police dog.

 A 27 year-old man is facing a number of charges in relation to the break ins.

Shortly after sending this release, Fincham followed up with this brief addendum.

Correction, some information suggests that the vehicle actually crashed into a parked car in the 3000 block of East 54th.