Victim Shot During Tulare Medical Marijuana Robbery
On Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at approximately 1516 hours, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a local area hospital regarding a possible shooting victim. Deputies learned that a shooting occurred in the 14600 block of Vista in Plainview where the victim was struck.
According to the report, the victim was transported by private vehicle to the local hospital where he was admitted. No other injuries were reported. Detectives from the Violent Crimes and Forensic Investigations Units were dispatched to investigate the case and further investigation revealed that the victim was shot while inside a residence during an attempted robbery of medicinal marijuana in which several subjects entered the residence attempting to steal a large amount of processed marijuana.
After an ongoing investigation, the next day on the 31st, Tulare Sheriff Detectives located 131 pounds of marijuana, allegedly for sale in one pound packages, according to the sheriff report and an additional 30 pounds of partially processed marijuana that would yield approximately 24 more pounds. Total weight would be about 155 pounds, which according to the report, is at last 125 pounds in excess of what is allowed to package and sell. 14600 block of Vista in Plainview
The value of the marijuana is quite large, ranging anywhere from $1k a pound and up whether sold in a dispensary or $3k or more when sold on the street or out of the state. The Sheriff’s Office has had various cases regarding theft, attempted theft, homicides or assaults over medicinal marijuana. County Ordinances have been created to help protect those who obtain medicinal marijuana recommendations and operate within these guidelines. A majority of cases where medicinal marijuana is present have found the growers to be out of compliance with County Ordinances. Specific zoning and security issues are listed to help protect community residents also, but individuals who obtain their recommendations are often misinformed by the doctors that they can donate their excess marijuana to a dispensary which will then donate cash back to the grower. Under California state law this is still considered sales of marijuana, a felony.
“We are seeing a lot of cases where medical marijuana cultivation and crime seem to run hand in hand,” said Public Information Officer Sergeant Chris Douglass. “Obviously, when you have a shooting and there is this much marijuana found, there is a problem. We are still investigating this one.”
Douglass said the Sheriff’s Office is asking if anyone has any information regarding this case to please call 1-800-808-0488. You may also submit your information anonymously through the Sheriff’s TipNow program by text or voicemail to 559-725-4194 or email tcso@tipnow.com
