Brazen ‘crooks holding up a pot dispensary’ nabbed after cops used tear gas to end standoff
A SWAT team had to use tear gas to smoke two burglars out of a pot dispensary and end an hours-long standoff, police said.
Kylie Minard, 35, and Bronson Jeremy Vigil, 32, were both arrested after breaking into the R. Greenleaf business in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Police were first alerted to an incident at the store, which dispenses medical marijuana, by a security alarm at around 2.30am on Tuesday.
Albuquerque Police Department spokesman Sgt. Tanner Tixier said officers had searched the property with police dogs and saw a man “scaling the interior walls” before hiding in the ceiling.
Minard surrendered to police after tear gas was fired inside, while Vigil was detained after coming running out four hours later.
“Due to the subject’s lack of compliance with officers commands and the difficulty of containing him, this has been made a tactical activation,” Tixier said.
As well as dogs and tear gas, the standoff involved a tactical robot, and saw the surrounding area shut down.
Both men are facing charges of burglary.
R. Greenleaf is non-profit medical cannabis producer with five clinics around Albuquerque.
A statement on the company’s website read: “Due to a recent attempted break in, the Midtown R. Greenleaf will be temporarily closed.
“We do not know how long the closure will be in effect but will keep you updated.
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“We apologize for any inconvenience.
“Thank you.”
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