Fort Carson soldiers arrested in burglary
Posted: 11.13.2010 at 8:45 PM
Updated: 11.15.2010 at 9:30 AM

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Police said three Fort Carson soldiers accidentally locked themselves inside a pot shop while they were trying to burglarize it early Saturday morning at the Rocky Road Remedies medical marijuana dispensary at Academy and Astrozon.

Police said the three men broke into the pot shop around the same time they were called to a disturbance at the bar next to the dispensary.

One alert officer heard noises coming from inside and investigated.

It turns out the men had locked themselves inside and made it an easy arrest for Colorado Springs police.

The trio of suspects are 23-year-old Darius Thomas and 22-year-olds Cory Young and Ramone Hollins. All are active duty soldiers at Fort Carson.

"They kicked in the back door, ended up in this room, which is obviously locked at two in the morning," Rocky Road Remedies receptionist Maegan Swain said.

What they didn't know is Colorado Spring police were responding to a disturbance at the bar next door at the same time. They also didn't realize the level of security the pot shop uses, and as soon as they let the back door close, they were locked inside.

"They came in this room, tried to kick out the front door realized that they couldn't do that, so they realized they were stuck in this room," Swain said.

The officers turned their attention from the bar disturbance to the dispensary next door.

"Officer Vantland heard some kicking noises occurring on the interior of a building," Colorado Springs Police Lt. Howard Black said.

A dent in back door of the pot shop was actually caused by police, who had to use a ram to get in back door and arrest the men.

"We are very thankful to the Colorado Springs Police Department for being where they were when they were," Swain said. "They did a good job."

The people who run the pot shop said they are disappointed the suspects are soldiers.

All three men are being held at the El Paso County Jail on felony burglary charges.