Friday, October 24, 2008

Two arrested, two at large, in ridge armed pot robbery

By GREG WELTER - Staff Writer
Article Launched: 10/24/2008 12:00:00 AM PDT


PARADISE — A Nunneley Road resident was sprayed with mace early Thursday morning when he tried to stop armed men allegedly stealing plants from his medical marijuana grow.

Police discovered the robbery about 12:30 a.m. when they attempted to stop a maroon Chevrolet Trailblazer in the 1200 block of Nunneley.

The driver abruptly pulled into a private driveway and ran from the vehicle.

A passenger, identified as Travis Winfield Quigley, 27, of Sacramento, was detained and found to be holding several freshly cut marijuana plants.

While police were questioning Allen, residents at the address were reportedly chasing two other men, allegedly carrying marijuana plants cut from the garden.

They caught one of the men, identified as Michael Jason Allen, 29, also of Sacramento.

Two victims said they were inside a small tent on the property when four men confronted them.

At least one pointed a handgun at them and allegedly threatened them with physical harm, while another sprayed one of the victims with mace.

Police said the suspects had removed eight of nine mature plants, which were being grown legally.

Quigley and Allen were arrested on suspicion of armed robbery and conspiracy and booked into the Butte County Jail in Oroville.

Bail on each was set at $70,000.

Two of the suspects got away. Police said the vehicle they drove to the robbery was stolen in the Sacramento area.

By tracing the paths of the two captured men, officers found a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun discarded at the base of a fence.

It was loaded and had a round in the chamber, police said.

An investigation into the robbery is continuing.

Anyone with information about the alleged crime is asked to call Paradise police at 872-6241. Callers may remain anonymous.

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