Pubdate: Fri, 27 May 2005
Source: Daily Review, The (Hayward, CA)
Copyright: 2005sANG Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.dailyreviewonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1410
Author: Michelle Beaver, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California)

HAYWARD POT DISPENSARY ROBBED AT GUNPOINT

Two Men Make Off With Less Than A Pound Of Marijuana; No One Hurt

A downtown Hayward marijuana dispensary and several of its clients were 
robbed Wednesday evening when two armed men burst through the doors and 
demanded that everyone get on the ground.

The robbers made off with less than a pound of marijuana, less than $400 in 
cash and a few people's purses and wallets, police said.

Seven people were in the club at 22550 Foothill Blvd. during the robbery. 
None was injured.

The situation was frightening, said dispensary manager Tom Lemos, 43.

"I was afraid that they would hurt somebody," Lemos said. "Everyone did 
what they were told to do, and I'm glad about that.

The robbers, described as two African-American men between the ages of 20 
and 30,

both brandished guns. One man was short and the other was tall, said club 
consultant and Medical Cannabis Association President Jane Weirick.

"If someone has a gun, they can get in just about any building they want," 
Weirick said.

Everyone lay down as soon as they were ordered, and some were able to 
discreetly push one of many panic buttons that are wired around the room.

The robbers were in the building for about five minutes and spent some time 
talking with each other about what they wanted to do, Lemos said.

This is the first violent incident the club has encountered since opening, 
he said.

"We usually lay low because we want people to know we're a responsible 
club," Lemos said.

The club does not advertise and has no sign.

The men made a poor choice to rob the club, Weirick said.

"They could have made more money robbing a Valero, especially with gas 
prices as high as they are," she said.

The matter is under investigation by the Hayward Police Department.
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