Orange County thieves steal $145K in marijuana cash — and it’s all caught on video

SANTA ANA — Santa Ana police released surveillance video Friday of a gas station ripoff of $145,000 in cash from a courier for marijuana businesses.

The courier stopped at a Mobil gas station at 1351 E. Dyer Road about 7:15 p.m. Wednesday to refuel his van, Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said. When he dashed into the store to pay for the gas, the thieves smashed a window of the van, grabbed a satchel with $145,000 in cash and fled, the corporal added.

Police believe the courier was followed by the suspects, who can be seen in the surveillance video pulling into the gas station and waiting until the courier left the van unattended before going for the cash, Bertagna said.

The courier had picked up the cash from a variety of marijuana dispensaries throughout the Southland, Bertagna said.

The thieves were in a newer model white Nissan Pathfinder. The passenger who jumped out to grab the cash was described as a man with a medium complexion who is 25 to 35 years old and wore a red jacket with a white hooded jacket underneath and blue gloves.

Anyone with information helpful to investigators was asked to call detectives at 714-245-8404 or 714-245-8529.

Orange County Crime Stoppers will accept anonymous tips at 855-TIP-OCCS.