Maine Cannabis Store Among 5 Burgled Monday, $1,200 in Pot Stolen

Four out of five businesses located in a Winthrop strip mall were broken into, including a medical marijuana shop.

Where Did the Burglaries Take Place?

Winthrop Police say five burglaries were reported at local businesses on Monday morning. Four of the five that were hit Sunday night were located in a small strip mall at 357 Main Street. The businesses in the strip mall that were targeted by the burglars included Earth Keeper Cannabis, Focus on Beauty hair salon, China Express restaurant, and Winthrop Workspace. Also hit Sunday night was the Tavern on the Hill 305 restaurant, which is not in the strip mall. Later Monday morning, police learned that Fast Eddie's Drive-In was also broken into, but the only thing stolen was a tip jar with about $17 in cash.

How Were Police Alerted to the Crimes?

Telephone and internet connections to the Main Street businesses were cut before the burglars entered the buildings. Police were initially alerted to the crimes at 2:55 Monday morning by an alarm on the rear door of the pot store. Stolen from that location were roughly 200 pre-rolled marijuana joints. They sell for between $6 and $20 each, so officials say the value of those joints is about $1,200. The other burglaries were discovered later Monday morning as the businesses opened for the day.

Do Police Think More Than One Person is Involved?

Acting Winthrop Police Chief Paul Ferland told the Kennebec Journal that the investigation into the burglaries suggest they were all done by the same person. One set of shoe prints found at the drive-in match prints found outside the strip mall.

This investigation is ongoing.