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Grandma victim of nighttime robbery at Rochester medical marijuana-growing home

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

A grandmother was tied up with duct tape in a home invasion robbery north of Rochester early this morning while she was babysitting her grandchildren.

Deputies were called to the 15000 block of Case Road after the approximately 2 a.m. incident in which two safes were stolen, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.

“They break down the front door, both armed with guns and they demand to know where the money is,” sheriff’s Lt. Greg Elwin said this afternoon.

The 8-year-old girl woke up while the subjects were inside and they basically told her to stay in her room, Elwin said. The 3-year-old was sleeping, he said.

The older child helped untie her 64-year-old grandma and they called 911, he said.

“The twist on this whole thing is these people are involved in a co-op, they grow medial marijuana on the property,” Elwin said.

Elwin said it appears the home was targeted by someone who knew the owners were out of town. The parents were in Portland and returned home right away, he said.

Deputies don’t have a good description, as both males had their faces covered, he said.

Detectives conducted their scene investigation today and will be interviewing the residents tomorrow to learn more about what was taken, he said. The robbers dropped some jewelry and electronics on the way out, he said.

“We’re still trying to figure out what was in the safes,” he said. “Probably cash and product.”

He said the couple are operating a legal operation and supplying product to dispensaries.