STOLEN MARIJUANA REPORTED TO POLICE

Gainesville resident Erik Chu said he did what any victim of a home-
invasion robbery would do: He called police.

But what makes Chu's story different is he told police he was robbed
of four ounces of marijuana and $1,000.

The Gainesville police's violent crimes task force subsequently
arrested two Gainesville men for the Saturday night robbery. Dometris
J. Golston, 22, and Jared M. McCaslin, 25, are being held in the
Alachua County jail without bond.

Now police are deciding whether to charge Chu with any crimes, said
Lt. Keith Kameg, Gainesville police spokesman. He said the robbery
illustrates the dangers of drug dealing.

"When you sell drugs . . . you're opening yourself up for crimes," he
said.

Chu told police he was sitting in his southwest Gainesville apartment
about 9 p.m. when his door was kicked open. Two men entered his
apartment, one of whom said, "I'm trying to eat. Give me the stuff,"
according to the police report. He said he gave the men the marijuana
and money before they fled.

The violent crimes task force, formed last month in the wake of
several high-profile crimes, investigated the home invasion. Kameg
said police were able to locate and arrest the suspects over the
course of the night.

Chu said the robbery made him concerned for his safety and the safety
of his girlfriend. He said it was logical to call police, despite more
recent advice he's been getting to the contrary.

Kameg said home-invasion robberies involving drugs are common in
Gainesville.

"We've been having a slew of drug dealers ripping off their
suppliers," he said.