By Cara Anderson | @carajojo
At 1:37 PM, an armed robbery was reported at a medical marijuana dispensary on Ventura Boulevard in Tarzana, CA. When LAPD arrived, they were told that the suspects were still inside the dispensary.
Seven hours later, LAPD confirmed that no one was inside the dispensary.
When they arrived to the scene around 2 PM, LAPD evacuated neighboring businesses in the strip mall and closed down a section of Ventura Boulevard by Etiwanda Ave. The SWAT Team arrived, and motorists were urged to avoid the area.
Four male suspects are believed to be involved. At around 6 PM, LAPD confirmed that one suspect had been detained and that a pistol was involved in the robbery. It is unclear what the detained man’s role was in the crime.
LAPD confirmed that they were in communication with people inside of the dispensary, negotiating with a male suspect. Police added that at one point communication with the inside was cut off. At around 6 PM, LAPD confirmed that they believed another suspect was inside with a woman hostage.
At around 9 PM, LAPD entered the dispensary and found no suspects or hostages. Afterward, LAPD made statements to the press that the suspects left the dispensary before 2 PM and that it is unclear if a hostage was involved.
UPDATE: No one was here. @LAPDHQ wraps up 7-hour investigation into an armed robbery/hostage situation at an illegal pot-shop in Tarzana. After going inside the dispensary tonight police discovered the 4 male suspects left before officers arrived before 2 p.m. today. No hostage. pic.twitter.com/3mScU0C0Yj
— Leah Uko (@LeahUko) October 23, 2018
The robbery is still being investigated, check back for updates.
Featured image shows the strip mall where the robbery took place, image via Google Maps.
