2 IE Men Accused Of Robbing Pot Shop At Gunpoint

RIVERSIDE, CA — A federal grand jury has indicted two Inland Empire men who are charged with robbing a San Bernardino pot shop at gunpoint last month, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. If convicted on all counts, prosecutors said both men could face a life sentence in federal prison.

Tyrie Ravon Contreras, 32, of Barstow, and Kenyon Lamonte Watson, 19, of Perris were each charged with interference by robbery under the Hobbs Act, Hobbs Act conspiracy, and using a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, according to prosecutors. Contreras is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to the indictment, Contreras, Watson, and an accomplice entered the dispensary with masks and ordered three employees to get on the ground. Prosecutors allege Contreras climbed over a display case and pressed a handgun against one of the employees' heads as she was lying on the floor.

According to prosecutors, the trio continued to steal cannabis and other marijuana products before loading the store's safe into the back seat of a BMW and fleeing the area.

Police allege Contreras was arrested two weeks later after a home invasion and car chase, which ended with him crashing a stolen vehicle. Officers reported finding a gun in a backpack tossed near the scene, which investigators said matched the one seen on surveillance from the pot shop robbery. According to the authorities, Contreras was previously barred from having a gun due to multiple previous felony convictions.

Watson was arrested on sept. 12 and is being held without bond, with an arraignment hearing scheduled for Oct. 1. The U.S. Attorney's Office said both defendants would face a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted on all charges.

The ongoing investigation is a joint effort between the San Bernardino Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.