Three Santa Ana police officers were charged were petty theft on Monday for allegedly eating protein bars and cookies from a marijuana shop they were raiding last year. The D.A. says that the items eaten by the cops did not include marijuana…in a pot shop…because sure, that makes sense.
In addition to the petty theft charges, one of the officers was also charged with vandalism for allegedly smashing five surveillance cameras and lenses during a raid at Sky High Holistic.
ABC 7 has the details:
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office said the snack items consumed by the three officers during the raid did not contain marijuana, disputing allegations from attorneys representing the shop that the cookies were “edibles” – or food products laced with the drug.
If convicted of petty theft, officers Jorge Arroyo, 32 and Nicole Lynn Quijas, 37, face a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Officer Brandon Matthew Sontag, 31, faces up to 18 months in jail and a $2,000 fine for petty theft and the additional misdemeanor vandalism count for smashing the cameras.
The District Attorney’s office said Monday that the snacks were Mrs. Thinster’s cookies and Detour Simple protein bars – which were part of the employee break room. Prosecutors also say that the Quijas and Arroyo also took cookies home – because Mrs. Thinster’s – which honestly, look fucking gross.
“Snacks from the break room, that’s there for staff. They’re accused of taking protein bars and cookies,” said Roxi Fyad, a spokesperson for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
An attorney for the pot shop is happy that the cops have been charged, but he is not buying that edibles were not eaten.
Attorney for #SkyHigh on charges against #SantaAna PD officers: "It's a start, but I stand by my allegation that they ate edibles."
— Greg Lee (@abc7greg) March 14, 2016
The Santa Ana Police Department announced that they have placed the three officers on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of appeals.
The police raid was caught on video cameras not destroyed or disabled as they were hidden. KTLA recapped what could be seen:
Then, they appear to be smelling the merchandise and discussing the flavor of the edibles, to laughter. Multiple officers appear to break off pieces of the food and consume them. Several other officers play darts.
A female officer was also heard in the video saying, “I was about to kick her in her f—ing nub,” in reference to Marla James, a wheelchair bound customer of the store with an amputated leg.
