The Androscoggin Sheriff’s Department is requesting public assistance in locating two suspects who allegedly burglarized a Turner cannabis shop on Thursday morning after multiple previous burglaries at the location.
[RELATED: Suspects Throw Motor Oil at Waldo Deputy Before High-Speed Chase Related to Dispensary Break-Ins…]
“People have to understand the type of people that are in our communities that are not deterred by the criminal justice system, because it’s limp,” said Jeremy, one of the business owners, speaking with The Maine Wire.
“If these kids were looking at actually facing felonies for stealing nine vehicles and breaking into these establishments and running from the police and assaulting a police officer, they may have made different decisions,” he added.
At approximately 3:58 a.m., deputies responded to a reported burglary at 45 Degrees North Cannabis at 2742 Auburn Road in Turner.
The Sheriff’s Department reported that two suspects broke into the business, setting off the burglary alarm.
Once the alarm was activated, they allegedly fled on foot.
Detectives gathered evidence at the scene and are actively investigating the situation.
According to the owner, the suspects caused damage to the shop’s door but did not steal any product before fleeing.
This is the third time in under a month that the shop has been burglarized.
The previous two break-ins allegedly involved juveniles using stolen vehicles. A group of five juveniles allegedly involved in the two prior incidents was arrested following a multi-town police chase in a stolen vehicle on May 18, after they reportedly assaulted a Waldo County deputy.
The stolen vehicle in which the juveniles were allegedly found was associated with burglaries at the Turner cannabis shop along with one in Lisbon.
The owner of 45 Degrees North expressed frustration that, because the suspects in the first two burglaries were minors, they were quickly released after a short stay at the Long Creek Youth Development Facility.
“They’re these kids; they stole nine vehicles, they broke into multiple places, mine twice, almost hit kids at a school bus stop, threw motor oil on a cop, and they are now currently all out of Long Creek, and I think they were there for like seven days,” Jeremy told The Maine Wire.
He said that his business has lost approximately $20,000 in damages and stolen product related to the burglaries.
The Androscoggin Sheriff’s Department posted multiple security videos and images from the most recent break-in and is requesting assistance in identifying the suspects.
One of the videos includes audio of the suspects discussing “last time:”
“I’m thinking as soon as we break that window. Last time I kicked…” one suspect seems to say before the audio cuts out.
Jeremy provided The Maine Wire with additional images from security footage.
