Man Shot To Death In Attempt To Steal Medical Marijuana
BREA, Calif. (AP) -- A Southern California man was shot to death while trying to steal marijuana from a medical marijuana deliveryman, and three other men were jailed on suspicion of robbery and felony murder for their alleged role in the crime, a police spokesman said Thursday.
Minh Kinh Dang, 20, of Santa Ana and at least three friends confronted the pot dispensary deliveryman and his armed security guard Wednesday night in the alley of an apartment complex, Brea police Sgt. Jim Griffin said.
The security guard fired three shots at Dang, who was holding a handgun, he said. Arriving officers found Dang dead at the scene.
Earl Augustus Austin, 19, of Santa Ana and James Yi, 18, of Irvine were arrested on suspicion of robbery and murder. A third suspect whom police have not yet identified also was arrested.
Austin and Yi were being held on $1 million in bail each, according to jail records.
The case has not yet been referred to the district attorney's office. Griffin did not know if the men, who have yet to make a first court appearance, had retained attorneys. Jail records show they will make a first court appearance on Friday.
The deliveryman and security guard were questioned and released.
Delivery services for medical marijuana patients in California are not uncommon and their numbers have been growing since voters approved the use of the drug for medicinal purposes in 1996.
Some services in particular cater to elderly patients who are less mobile and prefer the discretion of the home delivery.
