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Victoria police looking for getaway car in robbery at marijuana dispensary

The Burnside Dispensary on Harriet Road was held up at gunpoint Tuesday evening. Two men brandishing firearms entered the store around 7:30 p.m. and robbed the store. Rosetta Duncan, owner of the dispensary, said the store was open at the time.
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The Burnside Dispensary is open for business today, but employees who were in the store when it was robbed on Tuesday night are taking the day off.

The Burnside Dispensary on Harriet Road was held up at gunpoint Tuesday evening.

Two men brandishing firearms entered the store around 7:30 p.m. and robbed the store.

Rosetta Duncan, owner of the dispensary, said the store was open at the time.

It does not appear any shots were fired or that anyone was injured.

Victoria police said this morning the vehicle they're looking for in connection with an armed robbery on a pot shop is a grey BMW 335i.

The vehicle has B.C. plate BA5 34P. Anyone who sees it is advised not to approach but to call 911 immediately.

Last night, police located a black 2002 Chevy Cavalier that was believed to be linked to the robbery, but that connection was eventually ruled out.

It was business as usual this morning at the dispensary, which is on the ground floor of the Riviera Apartments at the corner of Harriet Road and Burnside.

Staff wearing green hospital scrubs said the staff members who were held up last night have taken the day off today.

Signs on the door say "this premises is monitored by video surveillance" and "no cash or valuables on premise."

The store has minimal marijuana on display and has an ATM inside.

One woman who lives right above the shop said she didn't hear anything last night until police arrived. She saw one employee sitting outside who looked shaken up.

Dispensaries are still illegal until federal legislation passes to legalize marijuana. This City of Victoria has instituted a licensing scheme but only one pot shop has qualified for a business licence.

As a result, unregulated pot shops do not qualify for business bank accounts and are forced to do business in cash.