An El Sobrante cannabis shop was raided by a group of masked burglars during the early morning hours on April 2.
It was the second time that Urban Soyal at 3823 San Pablo Dam Road was targeted by burglars since October last year, co-owner Dr. Ayoka Nurse said. The store opened about a year ago as Contra Costa County’s first and only Black-owned and run cannabis dispensary.
Surveillance video from the April 2 heist shows about eight masked suspects break into the store using iron cutters. They then ransacked the store as they stole products. The thieves caused $30,000 in damage and theft, making off not just with all the cannabis inventory but also the cash register and receipt machine, according to Dr. Nurse.
She suspects the incidents may have been done by people within her industry who may want the business to close down.
“Insurance is not going to cover the products that were stolen,” Dr. Nurse said. “[Cannabis] is still federally illegal. This is what criminals are banking on and this is what our competition is banking on as well.”
The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office is investigating and no arrests have been reported.
A GoFundMe was launched to support the business.
