A business owner arrived to find shattered glass after someone hurled a rock at a building sitting beside one of the area’s busiest cannabis dispensaries.
The incident happened overnight and immediately raised questions about whether the nearby dispensary may have been the intended target.
Deputies were called after the manager of the dispensary noticed damage at the neighboring Royale Poker Club and reported a possible break-in.
When officers arrived, they found a large glass panel beside the front entrance had been struck and damaged. Investigators determined the window was double-paned, and only the outer layer had been broken.
Despite the damage, there were no signs that anyone had actually made it inside.
Deputies also discovered bent door trim near the entrance, suggesting someone may have attempted to force their way in after the window was struck.
Later in the day, the building owner arrived and met with investigators to provide a statement while repairs and cleanup began.
Meanwhile, the dispensary’s manager told deputies surveillance cameras captured the incident.
According to the report, video footage allegedly shows an unknown male throwing a rock at the window before leaving the area.
Investigators requested a copy of the video, though it had not yet been provided at the time the report was completed.
Why Dispensaries and Nearby Businesses Can Become Targets
As legal cannabis businesses continue expanding across Ohio, dispensaries often attract increased attention from criminals who mistakenly believe large amounts of cash, products, or valuables are stored on site.
Security experts note that neighboring businesses can also become unintended targets when criminals:
- Mistake one business for another
- Attempt to gain access through adjoining properties
- Look for easy opportunities near locations that see heavy customer traffic
- Act out of vandalism rather than a desire to steal
In this case, investigators have not indicated whether the poker club itself was targeted or whether its location next to the dispensary played any role in the incident.
For now, deputies are hoping surveillance footage will help identify the person responsible for turning a rock into a costly overnight repair bill.
