WATSONVILLE — Police are investigating a pre-dawn marijuana dispensary burglary involving a mob-style theft over the weekend.
Watsonville police officers were called around 4 a.m. Saturday to a break-in on Hangar Way at The Hook Watsonville Dispensary.
Surveillance footage released to social media by the department Wednesday showed a driver repeatedly backing an SUV into the business’ door to gain access before at least 11 individuals wearing hooded sweatshirts and face masks flooded in. In the released footage, the footage then jumps to the group rapidly leaving with various items in hand while a burglar alarm sounds in the background. The SUV and three other vehicles are seen speeding off.
“In a matter of minutes, the suspects stole thousands of dollars of marijuana products and a safe from another nearby business,” Watsonville police posted to their social media.
In addition to its Watsonville site, the Hook has a second established location in Capitola and was recently approved to open a new shop in partnership with the Wo/Men’s Alliance for Medical Marijuana on Santa Cruz’s Westside. The business’ early morning burglary echoes November’s break-in at Santa Cruz’s Decibel Gardens cannabis cultivation, manufacturing and distribution center. In that case, business owner Derek Hubbard was arrested and charged with allegedly ramming into and shooting at the escape vehicles of multiple armed thieves after a burglar alarm alerted him to their arrival. The thieves were not caught but Hubbard’s case heads toward a potential preliminary hearing this fall. A Decibel Gardens representative anecdotally told the Sentinel at the time that cannabis businesses were facing an uptick in similar mob-style break-ins around the state.
In Saturday’s break-in, burglars traveling in the SUV led California Highway Patrol units on a chase to Hayward but ultimately evaded capture.
Watsonville police have handed over the investigation to the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team and request that anyone with information to call 831-471-1151.