La Mirada man accused of robbing security guard at O.C. medical marijuana dispensary

A man appeared in Orange County Superior Court Tuesday in connection with the robbery of a Garden Grove medical marijuana dispensary after police arrested him over the weekend at his La Mirada home, where they also found guns and methamphetamine, authorities said.
Anthony Thomas Kim, 34, pleaded not guilty at the West Justice Center in Westminster to charges of robbery, dissuading a witness from reporting a crime and dissuading a witness by force, according to Orange County court records. He’s additionally accused of the special allegation of using a gun during the robbery.
His brother, Paul Kim, 30, was also arrested on suspicion of drug and narcotics charges, Garden Grove police Lt. Jeff Nightengale said in a written statement.
The brothers were arrested Saturday when police investigators carried out a search at their home in the 15000 block of Barnwall Street, Garden Grove police Lt. Scott Watson said.
The robbery took place June 7 at the Garden Grove Patient’s Group, in the 13900 block of Harbor Boulevard, Nightengale said.
“The robbery was of the armed security guard who was working inside of the business,” the lieutenant said.
Anthony Kim was allegedly armed with a handgun when he entered the dispensary about 4:40 p.m. and held up the security guard.
“Taken in the robbery was the security guard’s duty belt with a loaded 9mm Ruger handgun, three loaded magazines, handcuffs, pepper spray and a collapsible baton,” Nightengale said. No cash or marijuana was taken, and no one at the business was hurt.
Following leads, which included surveillance footage of the robber getting into a pickup truck and leaving, led investigators to identify Anthony Kim as a suspect in the robbery, police said.
When officers arrived at the Barnwall Street home Saturday, they saw the vehicle that had been used in the crime was parked in the driveway, Nightengale said.
A search of the home turned up all of the items stolen from the security guard, as well as a .357-caliber revolver, an assault rifle with high-capacity magazines, methamphetamine and packaging supplies, police said.
“Also located were several police badges and police duty belts,” Nightengale added. “Investigators believe that these items might have been used in unreported robberies of medical marijuana dispensaries.”
Anthony Kim did not flash a badge or impersonate a police officers during last week’s robbery, officials said.
According to county booking records, Kim due back in court June 28 for a pre-trial hearing. He was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
Paul Kim<USDEFAULT> was released from jail pending an initial court appearance after posting a bond.
Anyone with information was asked to contact Garden Grove police at 714-741-5704.
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