Pubdate: Tue, 11 May 2004
Source: Maple Ridge Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc
Contact:  http://www.mrtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1372
Author: Tom Barnes

'VICTIM' ARRESTED WITH POT

Robbers Came Looking For His Pot - But The Cops Got It Instead.

A 49-year-old Maple Ridge man was sound asleep early Friday when he woke to 
the sound of loud bangs on the front door of his 118 Avenue home.

Police say the man watched as two masked men tried to force their way into 
the home.

The man also reported seeing a gun being pointed through an opening in the 
door.

Police are still trying to determine if the gun was actually fired, or if 
the noise reportedly heard by a neighbour was from the would-be robbers 
trying to bash their way through the door.

Eventually the man's attackers gave up and fled the scene, but the same 
neighbour who heard the bangs had also called police. Cops showed up and 
searched the man's home "for safety reasons," said Cpl. Rhonda Stoner, 
Ridge Meadows RCMP spokesperson.

The search turned up 20 kilograms of recentlyharvested pot, "bagged up and 
ready to go."

The man, despite almost becoming a victim of a crime, was arrested and is 
now facing charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

No description was provided for the pair who tried to break into the home.

With the home invasion likely focused on stealing the man's pot, police 
issued a reminder to home buyers who might be looking to purchase a home 
formally used as a grow-op.

"Purchasing a home on the market that was subject to a marijuana grow, 
although financially appealing, comes with risks. Those who want to profit 
by doing a 'grow rip' know where these homes are, but they aren't always 
aware of home owner changes," police say, adding any home on the market 
should be properly researched before being purchased.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom