New at 4:30 a.m., a dramatic scene unfolded in Pasadena, Texas. Security footage captured at 0:01 caught on camera shows a masked individual creeping through the shadows. By 0:02, a burglary suspect hauling a safe out of a cannabis dispensary is clearly visible. The event happened at Grade A Dropouts, a dispensary off Shaver near Southmore.
According to reports, the suspect broke in early last Friday morning and made off with a safe containing an undisclosed amount of cash. What makes this burglary unusual is that it’s not a case police are actively investigating the owner declined to press charges.
How the Suspect Got Inside
Investigators say it appears the suspect entered the dispensary by first breaking into an adjoining hair salon, then cutting through its shared interior wall. The intruder even went through another wall leading from the dispensary’s bathroom to a separate room. Video shows him opening drawers before escaping with the safe.
Alarm and Police Response
While an alarm may not have triggered immediately, officers responded soon after one did go off. When police arrived, the front door was ajar and an audible alarm was sounding. They cleared the business but found the suspect had already fled. Pasadena Police public information officer Darby Slack confirmed the store owner reported only the safe was missing.
After further discussion with officers, however, the owner said he did not wish to pursue charges. “If we don’t have a willing victim that’s wanting to pursue charges, there’s not anything that we can do in regard to a criminal investigation,” Slack explained. There are exceptions in family violence cases, but not for a burglary like this one.
Owner Calls for Accountability
In an email, the dispensary’s owner confirmed his decision, writing: “Instead, we are asking the suspect to take responsibility and pay for the damages caused to our business. We believe accountability can bring closure, and we hope the suspect does the right thing by making amends.”
Meanwhile, the adjoining hair salon owner was left to repair her own damages and has filed a separate police report.
This incident highlights how vulnerable small businesses can be to burglary, especially cash-heavy operations like dispensaries. Grade A Dropouts has since reopened with “a little less green” but the case remains a reminder of the importance of strong security and clear policies.
