14 DAY TRIAL // Stories about marijuana smuggling or trafficking are fairly common, but this is the first time we hear about a marijuana theft. A robber gang were caught on camera stealing marijuana plants from a Denver grow house and vandalizing the growing center last month, and police are now trying to track down the thieves.
The video captured by surveillance cameras shows that three men entered the Chronic Therapy grow house on April 23 and got away with 25 mature marijuana plants, with an estimated value of $12,000 (€8,600). During the 30-minute burglary, the thieves also caused a lot of damage to the business.
They reportedly forced their way in through a window. Once inside, they noticed the surveillance cameras, and one of the thieves tried to cover the lens with a towel, while another suspect smashed one camera with a hammer.
Although the property is monitored by a security company, by the time the thieves activated the alarm system, they were already on their way out.
The owner of the legitimate marijuana growing center, located on Claude Court just south of Interstate 70 and York Street, believes that whoever burglarized the building definitely knew what was inside.
“I’ve never seen them before. They definitely seemed like professionals. It’s really a loss of time is what you’re dealing with. My growers put so much time and effort into growing our organic medicine for our patients that it really sets you back 3 [to] 6 months,” he told reporters.
Denver Police say this could be the first time they are investigating the theft of marijuana plants, but assure the business owners that they will do their job as usual.
“We take this like any other crime that goes on, we have to respect the laws in the city and county of Denver and we have to protect the rights of those people who have invested in that business,” Denver Police spokesman Sonny Jackson told CBS Denver.
Authorities have released pictures of the three suspects involved in the burglary at the grow house in hopes someone will recognize them. They offer a reward of up to $2,000 (€1,440) to anyone who can give information about the suspects.
The owners of the business might never recover the stolen plants, but the suspects will still face charges.
“They may not get the value back of the plants but these individuals need to face justice for the crime they committed,” Mr. Jackson added.