Dispensary robbers arrested

Photo: Contributed

Two people are in custody after an attempted robbery at an unlicensed marijuana dispensary in Cawston.

Police were called to the Amber Light Compassion Society at around 12 p.m. on July 31 for a report of a robbery. Officers arrived and were told that the suspect had fled in a silver VW Golf towards Osoyoos.

“Witnesses at the scene stated that the suspect forced his way into the store and demanded money and marihuana (sic) wielding a corkscrew,” Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said in a news release. “One clerk was struck with the corkscrew and received a minor injury.  A second staff member wrestled with the suspect and ejected him from the premises.”

The car the male suspect fled in was later determined to have been stolen out of Saanich. Patrolling officers eventually located the car, but did not pursue because of the dangerous way it was driving.

“A spike belt was eventually deployed as the vehicle continued towards Osoyoos.  Officers pursued the vehicle following the spike belt deployment however, terminated the pursuit once it drove into the populated area of Osoyoos,” Moskaluk continued.

Heavy police patrols in Osoyoos eventually found the car and suspects. Two people, a 31-year-old male and 25-year-old female were arrested. A third, who police have identified, remains at large.

In a Facebook post on Monday, the dispensary stated the “unruly individual” showed “obvious signs of opioid addiction” and became irate when he wasn't provided cannabis because he did not have valid identification on him.

When contacted by phone, an employee of the dispensary said she was not authorized to speak about the incident.