Attempted robbery at East Vancouver cannabis store caught on camera
Security video has been released of an attempted robbery at an East Vancouver weed store Monday night.
The owner of Kingsway Cannabis posted the 20-second video on Twitter Tuesday, which shows a man burst into the store shortly after 8 p.m.
He then points what appears to be a gun at a woman behind the counter, who then runs to the back of the store. The man attempts to follow her, but is blocked by a locked half-door attached to the counterAfter fiddling with the register, the man runs out of the store empty-handed.
Vancouver police confirm an investigation is underway and say the use of a firearm makes this robbery attempt particularly alarming.
"Whether this was a real gun or a fake gun, we don't know. That's something we're investigating," said VPD Cst. Tania Visintin. "Nonetheless, this is terrifying for everyone involved. Whether this is a cannabis store or a candy shop, it's terrifying no matter where it happens."
In a tweet, the store owner suggested it might be time for the federal government to rethink mandatory window coverings on cannabis retail shops.
The B.C. government has already done away with the requirement, but it is still necessary if a store wants to be in compliance with Health Canada.
The regulation is in place to prevent minors from viewing cannabis products.
An unintended consequence is that it prevents passers-by on the street from being able to see any crimes in progress.
The suspect in the attempted robbery video is wearing a dark coloured hoodie pulled over his head, a baseball cap and some kind of face covering.
Vancouver police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, Ontario police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Services Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.
BREAKING Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
What does it mean to be 'house poor' and how can you avoid it?
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.