NEWS: Robbers attack man, flee with marijuana worth $500

Whittier, California

WHITTIER, CA - A man who tried to sell marijuana valued at $500 to a medical marijuana dispensary was later assaulted and robbed of his wares by two men Friday night.

Whittier police Lt. Steve Dean said the 10:02 p.m. attack in the 13300 block of Slauson Avenue left the 26-year-old Los Angeles man with a cut above the eye and a broken finger.

Dean said the man earlier went to a Santa Fe Springs dispensary to sell marijuana he grew but was turned down.

Later, he was on Slauson Avenue in Whittier when two men accosted him and demanded the marijuana which was in a backpack.

"It sounds like they fought over the bag," Dean said.

One of the robbers pulled a knife, he added.

"They took the marijuana, cut him over (the eye), broke his finger in several places," Dean said.

The injured man was taken to a local hospital.

Source: San Gabriel Valley Tribune

NEWS: Whittier City Council extends medical marijuana moratorium

The City Council has voted to extend a moratorium on new medical marijuana dispensaries for another year.

The council in December 2009 approved the first moratorium because of fears that more such businesses would flood into the city.

A permit for one such business, Whittier Hope Collective, was approved in October 2009. It opened in July.

More time is needed to look at other cities which have placed a cap on the maximum number of such businesses, stated Jeff Collier, director of community development.

The council also increased parking fines by $3, citing an increase in the surcharge it must pay to the state.

Source: Whittier Daily News

NEWS: Second man charged in Santa Fe Springs pot dispensary robbery

SANTA FE SPRING - Police say a Los Angeles man is the second suspect in a botched Aug. 10 robbery of a medical marijuana dispensary where the security guard fought with the robbers.

But the culprits didn't get any money or marijuana from AP Natural Solutions in the 9800 block of Alburtis Avenue. They left with the guard's gun.

Chavasco Coogler, 29, was arraigned Monday at Whittier Superior Court and pleaded not guilty to second-degree robbery and to possession of a firearm by a felon, said Shiara Davila-Morales, spokeswoman for the District Attorney's Office.

She said he returns to court Dec. 7 to set a date for his preliminary hearing.

The criminal complaint also alleges that Coogler used a gun to commit the crime and personally fired the weapon.

He is being held at Men's Central Jail in lieu of $285,000 bail. He was the last of the two suspects caught.

Whittier police Lt. Bill Webster said Coogler was arrested Nov. 3 by Riverside police on the outstanding warrant. He didn't have details about the arrest.

The other suspect, 18-year-old Travon Brooks of Harbor City, was caught Aug. 26 and has pleaded not guilty to second-degree robbery.

The prosecution further alleged that Brooks personally used a gun and fired a weapon. Brooks' next court date is Nov. 23.

He remains in custody at the North County Correctional Facility in lieu of $115,000 bail.

Police said two men posing as customers got into AP Natural Solutions the night of Aug. 10.
A security video released by police shows the men fighting with the guard. When they found out they're locked inside, one of the suspects shot at the steel security door which isn't visible in the tape.

They later forced the guard to unlock the door.

Source: Whittier Daily News

NEWS: Whittier Dispensary Robbery Caught On Tape

SANTA FE SPRINGS -- Police have released dramatic surveillance video as they search for a pair of suspects involved in a botched robbery at a medical marijuana dispensary.

It happened at AP Natural Solutions located in the 9800 block of Alburtis Avenue in Santa Fe Springs on August 10, as first reported by the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

The suspects posed as customers to gain entry to the business. The surveillance video shows the men signing a guest sheet. Once inside, one of the suspects pulled a gun and pointed it at the security guard. The second suspect grabbed the guard's gun and the two began to struggle, according to Whittier police.

Watch Video

Several shots were fired into the metal security door when the suspects found out they were locked inside the business. When the couldn't get out, the suspects then threatened the guard and forced him to unlock the door. They got away without any cash or marijuana, but did flee the scene with the guard's gun, police said.

The guard was hurt during the incident, but it's unclear if he was taken to the hospital or the extent of his injuries.

The suspects have not been tied to other robberies and it's believed this is the first robbery at the AP Natural Solutions business, according to Whittier police.

The suspects were described as two black men, 20 to 25. One is 6-feet tall, weighs 170 pounds and wore a black jacket with yellow embroidered dragons on the front and back.

The second suspect is 5-feet 10-inches tall, weighs about 160 pounds and wore a black bomber jacket.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Whittier Detective Bureau at 562-409-1869.