Crime Stoppers: Madras medical pot dispensary burglars sought

Madras police released security video and asked the public for help Tuesday in trying to find two suspects who broke into a Central Organics medical marijuana dispensary over the weekend and stole about $2,000 worth of items, according to its owners.

“Obviously, I was shocked,” said Mike Boynton, who owns Central Organics with his wife and father-in-law.

However, the only items the thieves were able to get were non-medicated, over-the-counter hemp products, like pain gel and creams.

“I think they were assuming that the shop was fully furnished like it is during the day,” Boynton said Tuesday. “I think they were pretty shocked when they walked in and realized the shelves were empty.”

Dispensaries have to follow strict guidelines, storing their medicated products in locked safes overnight.

“We follow all the procedures every night,” Boynton said.

Police were dispatched around 1:15 a.m. Saturday to the reported burglar alarm at Central Organics, a medical marijuana dispensary at 780 Southwest Fourth street, said Detective Mel Brown.

Police learned there was a break-in, and a search of the building found the suspects had fled, Brown said.

With the help of the owners, officers obtained video surveillance of the suspects Brown noted the two individuals were wearing face and partial head covering, but one suspect’s face could be partially seen when he lowered the coverings on his face.

“We’ve got some good photos of them,” Brown said.

Officers following up on leads “have obtained suspect information, and this case is actively under investigation,” Brown said in a news release.

“It’s pretty serious,” Brown told NewsChannel 21. “You’re looking at Theft I (first degree) — that’s a felony.”

For the dispensary owners, it could have been much worse.

“It could have ruined our business if we didn’t follow protocol,” Boynton said.

Anyone with information about the burglary or who can identify one or both was suspects was urged to contact Brown at 541-475-2424.

You can also call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-877-876-TIPS or use the form on KTVZ.COM’s Crime Stoppers page. You can remain anonymous, and you could be eligible for a cash reward.