A 17-year-old boy is in custody following a coordinated burglary at The Kushery Cannabis shop in unincorporated Everett during the early morning hours of 16 November, though five accomplices successfully escaped after a high-speed pursuit ended with their stolen vehicle crashing into a ditch along State Route 9.
The incident began when Snohomish County Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a break-in at the marijuana retail store located in the 5600 block of 134th Place SE. Upon arrival, deputies discovered evidence of a ram raid, where perpetrators had crashed a vehicle through the storefront to gain entry, a tactic increasingly employed by organised theft groups targeting cannabis retailers that operate cash-intensive businesses due to federal banking restrictions.
Deputies arriving at the scene found the vehicle used to breach the storefront abandoned, whilst a second vehicle, later identified as a stolen Kia Optima, was attempting to flee with suspects and stolen merchandise. This observation triggered a pursuit involving both Snohomish County Sheriff’s deputies and Mill Creek Police officers as the vehicle crossed jurisdictional boundaries.
The chase traversed multiple miles before deputies successfully deployed spike strips near the 17800 block of State Route 9, puncturing the Kia’s tyres and causing the vehicle to lose control and crash into a ditch near the 18000 block of the same highway. The spike strip deployment represented tactical intervention by pursuing officers seeking to end the chase before speeds or traffic conditions created unacceptable public safety risks.
Six masked suspects, all wearing gloves and hooded jackets suggesting premeditation and attempts to avoid identification, abandoned the disabled vehicle and fled on foot into surrounding areas. The coordinated nature of their escape, with multiple individuals scattering in different directions, complicated apprehension efforts by dividing law enforcement resources and attention.
Recognising the challenge of tracking multiple fleeing suspects across unfamiliar terrain during early morning darkness, authorities requested assistance from a K-9 unit operated by the King County Sheriff’s Office. The police dog successfully tracked one suspect’s scent trail across a large property east of the crash site, leading handlers to the 17-year-old boy who was taken into custody.
The teenager was transported to Swedish Hospital for medical evaluation, standard protocol following pursuits and foot chases where suspects may have sustained injuries during the vehicle crash, flight through rough terrain, or apprehension process. Following medical clearance, he is expected to face multiple serious charges reflecting the various criminal acts allegedly committed during the incident.
Anticipated charges include obstruction, addressing his alleged flight from law enforcement; malicious mischief in the first degree, typically reserved for property damage exceeding $5,000 and reflecting the extensive structural damage caused by ramming a vehicle through the storefront; taking a motor vehicle without permission in the second degree, covering the group’s use of the stolen Kia Optima; and burglary in the second degree, addressing the unlawful entry into the cannabis shop with intent to commit theft.
The escape of five accomplices creates ongoing public safety concerns and investigative priorities for law enforcement. The individuals remain unidentified and at large, potentially posing continued threat if they are part of organised retail theft operations targeting multiple locations. Their escape also creates urgency around identifying them before they can dispose of stolen merchandise, flee the region, or commit additional crimes.
Authorities are actively seeking public assistance in identifying and locating the five suspects who escaped. Anyone with information about the incident, who may have witnessed the pursuit or crash, or who can identify individuals involved is urged to contact the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 425-388-3845. Tips can provide crucial investigative leads including suspect identities, vehicle information used for transportation to or from the scene, or knowledge about where stolen merchandise may have been taken.
The ram raid burglary at The Kushery represents part of a broader pattern of organised retail theft targeting cannabis dispensaries across Washington state and the Pacific Northwest. These businesses face unique vulnerabilities because federal prohibition of marijuana prevents them from accessing traditional banking services, forcing them to operate primarily with cash and making them attractive targets for criminals seeking liquid assets. Additionally, cannabis products themselves hold substantial black market value, creating dual theft motivations around both cash on premises and inventory.
