Halton Regional Police responded to multiple calls regarding fires at cannabis stores, coincidentally at 4:20 a.m.
Local police say two Canna Cabana cannabis stores in Burlington, Ontario, were targets of arsons early in the morning on August 22.
According to a representative from High Tide who spoke to StratCann, the company that owns the chain of Canna Cabana stores, a third location in Ancaster, Ontario, at 14 Martindale Crescent, was targeted.
The 2400 Guelph Line and Upper Middle Rd stores in Burlington were set ablaze, Halton Regional Police say.
Police state witnesses heard glass shatter around 4:20 a.m. on August 22 at 2400 Guelph Line. A police investigation determined a brick was thrown through the store’s window. A man was seen pouring liquid into the store and igniting it, police say. Police describe the suspect as a black man driving a light-coloured van.
An additional incident was reported five minutes later. At 4:25 a.m., police said, another fire was lit at Canna Cabana’s 3505 Upper Middle Rd. location. Both stores are in strip malls.
The Burlington Fire Department came to both locations and extinguished the flames. No injuries were reported.
The attacks and notes about the incidents were confirmed by High Tide’s chief communications and public affairs officer, Omar Khan.
“Earlier today, two Canna Cabana stores in Burlington and one in Ancaster were vandalized. Based on similarities in the suspect’s description at each location and the way in which each attack was carried out, we believe that the three incidents may be linked,” he said.
“As a company whose business model is designed to entice illicit market consumers to shift to the regulated cannabis industry, we urge law enforcement agencies and governments at all levels to prioritize the protection of legal cannabis stores like Canna Cabana. These legal stores are at the vanguard of the battle against entrenched criminal elements who will do anything to stop the growth of Canada’s legal cannabis industry,” Kahn said.
High Tide owns Canna Cabana and boasts 155 locations across Canada.
Anyone with information should call Halton Regional Police at (905) 825-4747 or make an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
