Red Bank police answer robbery call, find pot farm

Thursday, November 29, 2012

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3390 Easton Ave.

3390 Easton Ave.

Red Bank police officers answered an armed robbery call and found an indoor marijuana farm Wednesday, Police Chief Tim Christol said.

In a news release, Christol said officers responded to an armed robbery call at 3390 Easton Ave. at about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The victim told police he answered a knock at the door to see two armed black males, who demanded money. The men came inside and started to ransack the residence and the victim fled to a nearby house, whose occupant called police.

Officers who were securing the crime scene and checking for suspects smelled a strong odor of marijuana and found marijuana stems, growing and planting equipment, Christol said.

Police obtained a search warrant and discovered two grow labs containing approximately 20 large marijuana plants, grow lights and assorted planting material in the basement/garage area, he said. They also found a handgun and two shotguns.

The occupant, William D. English, is facing charges of manufacturing marijuana along with possessing drug paraphernalia, weapons and marijuana for resale.

The robbery suspects both have dreadlocks and were wearing ski masks, blue long-sleeved shirts and blue camouflage pants. They drove off in a dark-colored SUV.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Red Bank Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division at 423-875-0167.