Medical Marijuana Supplier Hit With Two Robberies Within 2 Weeks

By T.J. Wait

The next time an individual tries to fill a medical marijuana prescription at the Hemp Center at 2533 Balboa St., he or she might be greeted at the entrance by an off-duty police officer. That is because the pot shop was robbed twice in 14 days.

The first robbery occurred Thursday evening, April 12, with the suspect entering during business hours through the main door.

According to the police report, the suspect jumped over the front counter and made this way into the back storage room. He pointed a gun at surprised clerks and ordered them to fill his nylon bag with pot, hashish and cash. The on-duty staff members followed orders, placing various marijuana products and cash into the container.

Upon leaving, the suspect allegedly yelled at the shop workers, telling them that he would "empty his gun on them" if they got up.

The second robbery, which occurred April 23, also took place during business hours. This time, however, the robber and his accomplice were caught.

Police say that Sacramento resident Brian Pace, 27, entered the Hemp Center, jumped over the counter and knocked two Hemp Center workers to the ground. With his gun pointed at them, he hurried to the back storage room where shop owner Kathleen Lemons was working.

"He ordered me to get the money and the pot," she said.

According to police, Pace then ordered them to lie face down. When Pace left, a frazzled Lemons called police.

"I really thought that he was going to shoot us," she said.

When police arrived, she and the store clerks gave their account of the incident, which included descriptions of the suspect and the car they were driving.

Within an hour the suspect was apprehended near Ocean Beach, along with his 18-year-old driver, Sacramento resident Molly Sharp. Found in the car was a nylon duffel bag, similar to the one described by Lemons and her clerks. According to police, the bag contained "green vegetable matter," which turned out to be marijuana.

Soon after the arrest of the suspects, Lemons and her staff were transported to the police station to identify them; they pointed out Pace as the perpetrator. They also identified the duffel bag as the same one used in the robbery.

According to officer Bobby Cheung, the suspects face charges of armed robbery, conspiracy, making terrorist threats, possession of a stolen weapon and possession of marijuana.

Lemons was encouraged by the capture, but the robberies have taken their toll.

"In the first robbery the guy made off with pot and hashish with a street value of $12,000 and stole about $8,000 in cash," she said.

She went on to say that "it's really sad because we're trying to help people, but when it's all (the robberies) happening you aren't thinking about the merchandise or the cash. You're thinking about your life."

Lemons is determined not to let this violent pattern continue. She says that several security plans are in the works. For one, there could be some sort of security personnel. Right now she is considering off-duty police officers, security cameras and veterans and security guard services.

But Lemons is still upset that she has to take these measures.

"I've been open around two years and this has never happened," she said.

As far as police support for her business, Lemon's said "they've been extremely helpful. I don't think they've treated me any differently because of my business."

Lemons says she'll write off most of her uninsured losses.

"More companies are soliciting us for insurance than before. It's definitely something we're considering," she said.