In Shelby Township, Michigan, a local resident named Zabion Omariez Parnell, aged 20, is now facing charges related to unarmed robbery. According to the authorities, Parnell allegedly targeted two cannabis delivery drivers and was arraigned on Tuesday with two counts of unarmed robbery, alongside a $25,000 cash/surety bond.
The investigation by Shelby Township police commenced in August when two separate incidents occurred involving cannabis delivery drivers who were robbed while trying to complete their deliveries on August 19th and 26th. Law enforcement officials believe that Parnell orchestrated these incidents.
Sergeant Mark Benedettini of the Shelby Township Police explained, “The modus operandi was quite similar in both cases, with Parnell targeting drivers in the same area, particularly within the confines of a specific apartment complex. As soon as the drivers arrived, he would allegedly approach them and commit robbery, stealing the cannabis they were carrying.”
Marvin Keizi, the owner of Puff Cannabis of Utica, expressed his astonishment at these events, emphasizing that such criminal activities were unexpected in their community. Keizi reiterated the dispensary’s commitment to providing a valuable service to its customers, especially those who may have difficulty reaching the store physically. However, he emphasized that the safety of their employees is of utmost importance.
Currently, Puff Cannabis employs safety measures that involve monitoring a driver’s location while they are out on delivery. Keizi explained, “We have implemented a system where we keep a close eye on our drivers when they are in the field. This allows us to respond promptly in case of any issues. For instance, if we become aware of security concerns or if another dispensary in a particular area reports a robbery, we take that seriously and avoid sending our drivers to those high-risk zones.”
Keizi also stated that, in light of the recent incidents, they are contemplating the possibility of restricting deliveries to certain areas if such security issues persist. Ultimately, the safety of their personnel remains their top priority in providing cannabis delivery services to their customers.
