Medical Pot Traded for Cash Near Dutch Bros, Handgun in Another Deal

The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety made three juvenile arrests in an apparent theft of medical marijuana that immediately ended up being sold on the street illegally near Dutch Bros Coffee stand at Sixth & D streets Saturday. In one case the drug was traded for a handgun.

Officers responded and contacted a juvenile male near Seventh and D streets. The juvenile provided a false name, but was subsequently identified. During the contact, the male ran from officers, but was caught a short while later. A consent search of his backpack revealed several containers of marijuana.

At the same time, another officer had responded to a burglary reported at an address in southwest Grants Pass. It was determined that medical marijuana had been stolen from a residence.

The following day, officers exchanging information on these two cases discovered they were linked by how the marijuana had been packaged. Officers contacted the victim of the burglary, who positively identified the items recovered as belonging to him.

Officers with the assistance of detectives continued with the investigation and determined that the three suspects forcefully gained entry into Gregory Cole’s residence and stole numerous items. The amount of marijuana was estimated at about 2 ounces with a street value of $400.

Through further investigation, it was determined that one of the suspects sold some of the marijuana for $30 while another traded some of the stolen marijuana for a .22 caliber pistol, which was recovered. All three juveniles were lodged at the Juvenile Justice Center on charges of first-degree burglary, second-degree theft and third-degree criminal mischief. Additional charges of possession and delivery of a controlled substance are being referred. 

The investigation is continuing and additional arrests are forthcoming. 

VICTIM:
Cole, Gregory     Grants Pass, OR.

TAKEN:
Approx 2 ounces of marijuana             TOTAL VALUE: $400.00

ARRESTEE#1:
           Male Juvenile  509/120 BLO/BRO
        Lodged at JJC

CHARGES:
Burglary I
Theft II
Criminal Mischief III

ARRESTEE#2:
Male Juvenile 511/140 BRO/HZL
        Lodged at JJC

CHARGES:
Burglary I
Theft II
Criminal Mischief III
PCS/DCS Marijuana
Resisting Arrest   

ARRESTEE#3:
Male Juvenile 603/277 BRO/BLU
        Lodged at JJC

CHARGES:
Burglary I
Theft II
Criminal Mischief III
PCS/Marijuana