Calif. cannabis business owner fired shots and rammed into thieves

The owner of a company that makes cannabis products was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after firing a gun to try to stop thieves from robbing his business, officials said. 

Derek Hubbard, 36, the owner of a cannabis facility on the 300 block of Encinal Street in Santa Cruz, arrived at the business around 4 a.m. after the alarm was triggered by the attempted robbery, Jon Bush, a spokesperson for the Santa Cruz Police Department told SFGATE.

As the individuals who attempted to rob the facility exited the building, Hubbard fired several shots from a handgun and subsequently rammed one of their getaway vehicles with his vehicle, Bush said. After Hubbard fired several shots, the thieves also shot back, he said. 

Hubbard was booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail with no bail on Monday on suspicion of multiple counts of attempted murder, according to jail records.

Though the individuals were attempting to steal, Hubbard was arrested because shooting at them and ramming his vehicle was not a “ reasonable” and “lawful” way to stop the crime, Bush said.

Police said Hubbard called law enforcement after the altercation had already occurred. The cannabis facility located on Encinal Street has been targeted in robberies before, at least once this year before Monday’s attempt, Bush said.

In the past few years, at least “half a dozen” manufacturing or cannabis facilities have had multiple breaks or attempted break-ins.

Police have not identified or arrested any suspects and do not believe the individuals who broke in left with any merchandise, Bush said.