A string of break-ins at marijuana dispensaries in Bay County and other Michigan locations has culminated in over $21,000 worth of cannabis products being stolen. According to ABC12, the Puff Cannabis on Marquette Street and another store in Mount Pleasant were specifically targeted.
Puff Cannabis was reportedly burglarized last Thursday after thieves shattered a glass door with a brick, instigating an investigation into a possible statewide pattern of similar crimes. With over $21,000 of marijuana products gone, the Bay County Sheriff's deputies responded to an alarm at the venue. As MLive reports, Bay County Sheriff's deputies arrived on scene around 5:24 a.m., only to find an alarm system that had failed to trigger immediately, delaying the potential to catch the perpetrators in the act.
The suspects left significant damage in their wake, according to a statement obtained by MLive. “They proceeded to use duffle bags and garbage bags to stuff them with all the bud they could,” said Bay County Sheriff's Lt. James Chlebowski, highlighting the focussed nature of the theft, which omitted products such as gummies or vapes. Surveillance footage captured images of three suspects, covered head to toe in black clothing, including face masks and gloves.
Later in the day, a dispensary in Mount Pleasant experienced a break-in mirroring the one at Puff Cannabis. WSGW notes that authorities are now investigating to determine if the Kent County arrests, where suspects had in their possession some of the stolen cannabis, could shed light on the string of burglaries. The coordinated effort across jurisdictions aims to establish connections between the incidents.
As the investigation continues, no suspects have been transferred to Bay County Jail to face charges yet, as per MLive sources. Police urge other businesses to remain vigilant as they work to curtail the targeted string of burglaries within the Michigan cannabis industry.
