SEATTLE — Police are investigating after four thieves crashed a stolen Hyundai into a cannabis dispensary in Seattle's SODO neighborhood. This incident is just one in a string of smash-and-grabs that have been targeting cannabis stores in the Seattle area. Recent crash-and-grabs have also occurred at other dispensaries like Dockside Cannabis and BevMo in Ballard. There have been a few of these incidents in Ballard in the past, indicating a troubling trend in the area.
Within an hour of an attempted robbery at a cannabis store in nearby Skyway, a Seattle cannabis store was hit with a smash-and-grab. Seattle Police are now investigating two separate incidents of burglaries that occurred early Monday morning. The suspects are using stolen vehicles to crash into the dispensaries, causing extensive damage and making off with valuable products.
Cannabis stores have been legal in Washington for nearly a decade, with the state bringing in nearly half a billion dollars a year in tax revenue from the industry. However, these recent burglaries are a stark reminder of the risks that come with operating a dispensary in the area. Two pot shops in Seattle are now left cleaning up after suspects slammed a car into their businesses, leaving behind a trail of destruction.