The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is asking cannabis shop owners to remain vigilant — especially in the overnight hours — after a string of break-ins over the last few weeks.
Three cannabis shops, Dank of America, Birch Bay Budz and Between the Ferns, were victims of “smash-and-grab” burglaries between Dec. 24, 2024, and Friday, Jan. 3. In each instance, suspects crashed into the shops with a stolen car and entered the businesses before fleeing on foot.
The suspects were then picked up in another vehicle, believed by deputies to likely be stolen.
Bellingham Police Department officers also responded to a call of a stolen Hyundai Tucson that was used to break into a cannabis dispensary early on Jan. 3, according to the police activity log. Whatcom County sheriff’s deputies recovered the vehicle.
“A second stolen Hyundai from Bellingham was used as the marijuana dispensary burglary getaway vehicle and pursued down to the Seattle area before the suspects eluded apprehension efforts,” according to the activity log.
Anyone with information about the burglaries is encouraged to call the WCSO tip line at 360-778-6663.
Several businesses across Bellingham were the victims of attempted or successful break-ins during the latter half of December.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
