Thieves crash stolen car into front of Tri-Cities cannabis store in smash-and-grab break-in

A group of thieves were lucky when they drove a Kia Soul through the front of a Pasco marijuana dispensary.

The suspects could have easily hit the wrong post and brought the front of the building down on them, said Steve Lee, Green2Go Recreational cannabis shops’ co-owner.

He told the Tri-City Herald he woke up at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday when his security company called him about glass breaking.

When he arrived at the Road 90 location, Pasco police and Franklin County sheriff’s deputies surrounded building. The thieves were gone, but they had left behind the stolen car in the front entry.

After walking through the building with police, he discovered the thieves took a paltry amount of products, Lee said.

“I’m glad none of those kids are hurt,” he said. “They are very lucky that whatever level of Forza or Grand Theft Auto they were playing (to learn to drive) saved their lives.”

He credited the fast response of the police for scaring the thieves and stopping them from getting more items. The experience made him grateful for Pasco and Franklin county law enforcement.

Pasco police have not said if anyone has been arrested.

Though few items were taken, Lee said it will cost time and money to repair the damage, and it’s an added stress for his employees.

The shop reopened Tuesday morning after a two-hour delay.

“We are back open and excited to serve the community. We waited for years to get our Pasco location to open. ... We are touched by the outpouring of support. It’s been really heartwarming.”

Lee believes the suspects were teens who learned online how to steal a Kia. Nationwide, certain models of Hyundais and Kias have been targeted by thieves after a series of social media posts showed how to start the cars without a key unless the owners have had the defect fixed.

Lee said there needs to be more ways to redirect the energy of young people into positive activities.

“They are clearly motivated to do something ridiculous,” he said. “This is a lack of mentorship in our community.”