Crew uses sledgehammer to break into, smash through medical marijuana store

DETROIT, Mich. (WJBK) - Crooks looking for cannabis grab a sledgehammer and break into a medical marijuana shop on Detroit's east side.

The family-owned Detroit  business House of Zen were still cleaning up Thursday afternoon after the thieves bashed their way into - and through - the store.

"They didn't get much of anything, but they caused more damage than anything else," said a security guard.

They can be clearly seen on security cameras, four men standing outside the marijuana dispensary on Mack around 1:30 a.m. Thursday. Moments later one young man uses a sledgehammer to break through the side window.

"They knew what they were doing," the guard said. "They've been here before and figured out what they wanted to do."

But turning the sledgehammer onto the larger side window, the crew busts through creating this huge hole. Not stopping there, the thieves smash the door to the back of the store. They rummaging through display cases and the back office.

"They took socks, gas masks, vape pens," the guard said. "The items they took - they're probably going to broadcast and talk about what they did."

Also stealing sample jars of marijuana before making their escape, these business owners believe the four men may be from the neighborhood.

"Anybody from the neighborhood, they’re going to sell on the black market," the guard said. "We don't want a black market industry."

With Detroit police at the scene, these folks are literally picking up the pieces Thursday afternoon and now, tightening up security. The business is forced to shovel out more money to make up for these thieves.

"We're just trying to show the city of Detroit that we play by the rules," the guard said. "It's a shame this happened."

The owners of House of Zen are more upset with the damage than the theft and estimate repairs to cost about $5,000. Anyone with information should call Detroit police at (313) 596-5200.