Dangers of Dispensaries

Medi-Mari Murder Suspect Caught, Another Store Robbed

Monday, August 3, 2009 – By WeHo News Staff, West Hollywood

West Hollywood, California (Monday, August 3, 2009) - Authorities
announced last week that they captured a suspect in the murder of a
medical marijuana dispensary security guard last week at a Venice motel.

LAPD detectives, acting on an anonymous tip after the incident aired on
FOX 10 O' Clock News' "L.A.'s Most Wanted" segment
last Saturday, arrested David Gardiner, age 21.

The arrest comes just two weeks after the LA City Council approved a
$50,000 reward for the suspects' apprehension.

LAPD detective John Shafia told the Beverly Press that a tipster called
in around 10 a.m. last Monday to notify authorities that they would find
Mr. Gardiner at the Venice Motel, 8686 Venice Boulevard.

Mr. Gardiner was in custody within the hour. He is one of four suspects
sought in the killing of a security guard at the La Brea Collective, 812
S. La Brea Avenue.

Unarmed guard Noe Gonzalez died of gunshot wounds after he tried to
intervene in an armed robbery.

Police say the crime disturbs them because Mr. Gonzalez took a bullet to
the head, execution-style, after the gunmen ordered him to the ground.

LAPD arrested two of the suspects, Lovie Matthews and Leon Banks, as
they tried to escape into the neighborhoods south of Wilshire Boulevard
and east of La Brea Avenue. They are currently in custody facing murder
charges.

Mr. Gardiner and the other suspect, Brandon Daniels, fled the scene and
had remained at large. LAPD placed Mr. Daniels on its "Ten Most
Wanted" list.

The week before, armed men hit a medical marijuana dispensary on West
3rd Street, just outside West Hollywood, in a take-over style robbery.

That robbery occurred at around 10:25 pm at the Green Easy, 7946 W. 3rd
St., when two men entered the shop and held employees at gunpoint while
they took money and marijuana products, escaping soon afterward.

Police suspect they used a black Acura in their getaway, although they
cannot be certain.

Employees described the he two suspects as African American men aged
approximately 20 to 25, standing six-feet-tall and weighing roughly 190
pounds.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact detectives
at (213)922-8266

Anyone with information about Brandon Daniels is asked to call homicide
detectives at (213)473- 0446. During weekends and offhours, call the
LAPD's 24-hour, hotline at (877) LAPD-24-7.

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