By Dylana Milobar

RCMP searching for suspects after armed robbery at cannabis dispensary

Mar 9, 2019 | 12:54 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops RCMP are looking for suspects involved in an armed robbery at a cannabis dispensary.

In a release today (Mar. 9), Kamloops RCMP Plainclothes Commander, Staff Sgt. Simon Pillay says Thursday evening around 6:30 pm, police responded to a reported robbery at an illegal cannabis business, known as Phyven Medicinal Cannabis Dispensary along Victoria St. 

An investigation determined that 2 masked suspects entered the store, one brandishing a knife and one with a long barrelled firearm.

Pillay says nobody was physically harmed, and no shots were fired.

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The suspects then fled the scene with cash and cannabis products in a pickup truck, but no licence plate was obtained.

However, today (Mar. 9) around 3:00 a.m, a brown GMC Canyon truck was found near River St. in Kamloops, and was determined to be the truck used by the suspects in this robbery.

The vehicle was also previously reported as stolen from Chase, B.C.

“Illegal cannabis retailers remain an attractive target to criminals because of the real or perceived hesitance the operators have in reporting crime to the police,” says Pillay, “In comparison, legal storefront operations are obligated to adhere to store security requirements, employee training, qualifications and sell  product that comes from a safe supply chain that is easy to identify and trace back.”

Now, RCMP are seeking the public’s assistance in this investigation.

If you recognize these suspects, saw this pickup truck or have any information about this crime, please contact Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000.
 
The suspects are described as:
 
Suspect #1:

• Armed with long barrel gun;
• First Nations male;
• Red brimmed ball cap;
• Shorter than Suspect #2;
• Carhart style beige jacket, toque, covering over face.

Suspect #2:

• Armed with a knife;
• Taller and larger build than Suspect #1;
• Beige pants;
• Had a piercing under his eye described as two (2) jewels, similar to bellybutton style piercing.