CHICO MAN HOPES WAL-MART CAN FIND POT THIEVES

Man Hopes Wal-Mart Can Identify Pot Thieves

Warren Roll is upset that authorities are doing little to investigate the
theft of medical marijuana plants from his yard in north Chico - especially
since he may hold the key to identifying suspects.

Thieves who hit his grow Monday night left behind a pair of new garden
clippers loaded with fingerprints and the bar code sticker still attached.
Roll considers it important evidence.

Through his own investigation, he concluded the clippers were sold recently
by Wal-Mart.

He claims the bar code can be used to determine exact times when clippers
of that brand and model were sold at Wal-Mart and security videotapes can
be checked to see who bought them.

"It would take some time, but it could be done," said Chico Wal-Mart
manager Kim Turner.

She said the store is willing to help authorities locate tapes if they
request it.

Butte County Sheriff's deputy Mike Lydon, who is familiar with the case,
said the bar code isn't enough to locate buyers of the clippers.

His office just learned about the existence of the shears Wednesday, Lydon
said.

Still, Roll said nothing has been done to investigate the crime, which he
equates to someone having their car stolen.

He said he depends on the pot to relieve the symptoms of post traumatic
stress disorder and shares his harvest with a friend who has cancer.

Lydon confirmed that his office did take a report on the theft and logged
it as a grand theft incident.

Roll lost three mature plants in the theft, each about 12 feet tall. He has
four left, but said that won't be enough to meet even his own medical
needs, which are about three pounds per year.

He valued the three plants at about $15,000. If he has to buy marijuana on
the "black market," Roll said he'll have to pay about $300 per ounce.

Thieves hit his grow about three years ago, but Roll said he was able to
get most of the pot back on his own. He said he suspects some of those
involved then may be targeting him now.

The garden at the Parque Avenue home checked out OK, Roll said, when looked
at recently by an investigator from District Attorney Mike Ramsey's office.
He said the investigator also verified his doctor's recommendation to use
marijuana for medical purposes.

Roll said he served a tour of duty in Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry
Division, an experience that left him with the disorder.

"I guess the police want us to rely on ourselves when it comes to things
like this," said Roll, who has enlisted the help of a friend to guard his
remaining marijuana plants until they're harvested.