Chicago Police

Chicago cannabis dispensaries targeted in Molotov cocktail attacks, police say

The dispensaries targeted were in the Portage Park and North Center neighborhoods

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Chicago police are searching for a suspect who targeted a pair of North Side cannabis dispensaries with Molotov cocktails in recent days.

According to authorities, the incidents occurred in the 4700 block of North Milwaukee Avenue on the morning of April 19 in the Portage Park neighborhood, and in the 4000 block of North Damen on Sunday morning in the North Center neighborhood.

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In both cases, police say a suspect smashed a front window of the dispensary with a hammer. The suspect then lit a Molotov cocktail and threw it into the dispensary before fleeing the scene.

The suspect was described as standing approximately 5-feet-9 inches tall, weighing between 190 and 240 pounds. The man was observed wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, a pair of black sweatpants, and black gym shoes, along with a facemask, police said.

A statement from The Cannabist Dispensary acknowledged that the Chicago location was closed "until further notice" as the incident is under investigation. Customers were encouraged to visit the Villa Park location at 133 Roosevelt Road.

Anyone with information on either of the attacks is asked to call the Chicago Police Department’s Arson Section at 312-746-7618. Tips can also be made anonymously to CPDTip.com.

Editor's Note: A mobile push notification for this story reported that both affected dispensaries were closed. The Cannabis Company, in Chicago's North Center neighborhood, remains open.

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