(Image: Uncle Ike’s)
A year after last May and June’s flurry of smash and grab burglaries targeting area pot shops, the E Olive Way Uncle Ike’s was reported held up at gunpoint Wednesday night.
According to East Precinct radio updates, a 911 caller reported a group of young males gathered nearby and preparing to rob the pot shop just before 10:30 PM. Minutes later, Uncle Ike’s reported at least two suspects in ski masks fleeing the store.
According to radio reports, the two suspects and a group of young males were seen leaving the area on foot, discarding stolen product as they fled. The two primary suspects were reported as black males, around 5’8″ with thin builds. One was wearing black and grey, the other bright red. Both were reported covering their face with masks. At least one was reported to have a handgun.
Police fanned out in the area around the 1400 block of E Olive Way and found a smaller group matching the suspect descriptions on Summit near E Pine. According to radio updates, witnesses were not able to identify if the males stopped were the robbery suspects.
There were no arrests and no reported injuries.
2025 began with a wave of crimes targeting Capitol HIll pot shops including a series of smash and grab burglaries involving stolen vehicles being smashed through storefronts to gain access. One of those crimes shut down The Reef cannabis shop for months of repairs.
Armed robberies targeting the stores have been less common but the Ruckus shop just off 15th Ave E was targeted in an April 2025 hold-up as a gunman entered the shop and made off with approximately $3,000 in cash.
The Uncle Ike’s on 15th Ave E was targeted in back to back smash and grabs in May and June of last year.
Industry experts say robberies and burglaries continue to plague the pot industry in Seattle but the cash-only businesses aren’t necessarily being targeted for the bills as the thieves typically make off with relatively small amounts of cannabis products to be sold, traded, and consumed.
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