OC Marijuana Dispensaries Broken Into Overnight

2 marijuana businesses broken into this morning

Investigators are checking whether any merchandise, valuables taken in
early-morning burglary.

By SALVADOR HERNANDEZ and SERENA MARIA DANIELS
The Orange County Register

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

LAKE FOREST â€" Two marijuana dispensaries less than a mile from
each other were broken into early this morning and investigators are on
the scene investigating, authorities said.

The break-ins were sometime around 5 a.m., said Lt. Mike Jansen of the
Orange County Sheriff's Department.

First, deputies responded to an alarm at the Lake Forest Alternative
Center in the 22400 block of Aspan Street. Shortly after, an alarm
sounded at the Health and Wellness Center in the 23000 block of Lake
Center Drive.

Deputies arrived at the two dispensaries to find broken windows at the
two businesses, Jansen said.

Video surveillance at the Lake Forest Alternative Center shows two
burglars kicking down a door at the marijuana collective, but no cash or
merchandise was taken, said Albert Maraz, the owner.

The collective's marijuana was stored inside a safe bolted to the floor,
which the burglars were not able to access, he said.

Maraz said he and employees were cooperating with authorities in the
investigation.

The collective has been renting space in the office building, between
chiropractor, insurance and marketing offices, for four months now, he
said. This is the first time they have had any kind of trouble, he said.

Contact the writer: shernandez@ocregist er.com or 949-454-7361

http://www.ocregist er.com/articles/ dispensaries- broken-investiga tors-252\
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