Calif. pot farmer sues landlord over stolen crop

[September 30, 2010]  MURRIETA, Calif. (AP) -- A Southern California pot farmer is suing his landlord because his $35,000 indoor marijuana crop was stolen during a break-in.

Gary Hite, who rents the 1,892-square-foot unit in a Murrieta business park, filed the Riverside County lawsuit against Hunco Way LLC claiming negligence and breach of contract. Hite's suit said he grows the marijuana for medicinal purposes.

The Superior Court suit alleges the landlord failed to fix a broken door and lock after a May 17 break-in in a neighboring unit.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise reported burglars entered the open unit on June 7 and smashed through the drywall to get into his marijuana warehouse space.

The suit said 35 plants worth $1,000 each were stolen.

Police said Hite's pot operation was illegal and he had been cited for various code violations.

___

Information from: The Press-Enterprise, http://www.pe.com/

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.