SODO pot shop targeted by crash-and-grab burglars for 2nd time in 5 months

SEATTLE — Five people in a vehicle broke into a SODO pot shop and took off with about $15,000 worth of products Tuesday morning, according to the store’s owner.

Cannazone, located on First Avenue South, was also targeted in an attempted burglary in October. On Tuesday, the entire storefront was damaged, and glass and debris was scattered on the ground after the crash-and-grab. Owner Julieth Jreige, who said the thieves stole some of the most expensive items, estimated the property repairs will cost about $45,000.

"This is the sixth time we've been hit (at all western Washington locations)," Jreige said. "Many drive-ins. Sometimes they just break a window, sometimes they steal a car and break in with a Kia. It's getting frustrating. I'm getting tired of it.

"It's between 3:30 and 4 o'clock (a.m.) every single time. So when I get a call at that time, I know my store's getting broken into."

Police said the suspect vehicle was left at the scene and it was not reported stolen. It was impounded by officers, police added, and the suspects left in a different vehicle.

Jreige said she wants to install a steel barricade to deter would-be burglars. She also said the growing trend of crash-and-grab and smash-and-grab burglaries at western Washington pot shops has left her so frustrated she’s considered leaving the business. She has other locations in the region that have been targeted as well, Jreige said.

“It's not worth it," Jreige said. "It's so frustrating, and it's tough. It's tough, and it makes me want to get out of this industry because it's getting harder and harder."

At an event in the Central District neighborhood aimed to help small businesses, KOMO News asked Mayor Bruce Harrell about the latest break-in and shared Jreige's frustration. "It upsets me when they are having some of these public safety issues. We will be their partner to try to help them grow, and we want them to stay in Seattle.

The mayor called it a broken system and insists the place to start is with changes at the federal level to safe banking regulations.

"When you keep large amounts of cash and the banking regulations are not flexible to allow you to remove the cash, problems occur," said Harrell, "I've repeatedly called on our federal government when looking at safe banking regulations that need to be changed. These places have large amounts of cash, which is dangerous."

The mayor also pointed to a fund set up by the city to help small businesses hit by vandals and thieves - that helps to pay for broken windows and other damages.

"If you look at the programs we are implementing under my admin are supporting small businesses... we have to do everything possible to help them succeed."

"I don't want to leave this industry because I love it so much. I just wish it wasn't being taken advantage of so badly," said Julieth's son, Fouad, who co-owns Cannazone with his parents.

On Oct. 24, police said a stolen Kia crashed into Cannazone in an attempted burglary. Police said they believed the car was stolen because there was extensive damage to the ignition. The suspects in that incident took off and no injuries were reported.