Michigan would-be cannabis store arsonists catch fire instead. Then the business trolled suspects with gas can tip jars

The team at Pure Cannabis Outlet in Monroe, Michigan, has turned an attempted arson into a marketing opportunity after two suspects allegedly crashed a stolen Jeep into the shop and accidentally set one of themselves on fire.

Employees are now using red gas cans as tip jars and posting parody videos online. Floor manager Briana Pittman said staff wanted to “have some more fun with it” after the bizarre break-in.

The incident happened shortly after 1 a.m. on May 10, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Surveillance footage from the dispensary shows a Jeep Cherokee reversing through the front entrance before two masked suspects climbed out and entered the business located about 35 miles south of Detroit. One suspect allegedly ran toward the back of the store to grab cannabis products while the other poured gasoline across counters and floors.

Video reviewed by local media outlets appears to show the gasoline igniting almost immediately after being lit, catching at least one suspect on fire. Footage then shows the pair sprinting through the parking lot while flames were still visible on one suspect’s legs and feet.

Store owner: Looked like “amateur hour”

Store owner Mike Bahoura told ClickOnDetroit the attempted arson looked like “amateur hour.” He initially believed the incident was simply a smash-and-grab burglary, but later said the level of destruction made the attack appear more deliberate. Bahoura told reporters he suspects the business may have been targeted, though investigators have not publicly confirmed a motive.

Authorities say the Jeep used in the crash had been stolen out of Detroit before the incident. Witnesses reported seeing the suspects flee the area on foot before getting into another dark-colored vehicle waiting nearby. Deputies recovered evidence from inside the dispensary and along the suspects’ reported escape route.

Local media and police noted that, based on the footage, the suspect who caught fire likely suffered notable burns to their hands, legs, and feet. Police have alerted local hospitals to watch for patients matching that description.

Despite the damage, the dispensary reopened later the same morning thanks to its fire suppression system, which extinguished the flames within minutes. Bahoura said the store’s sprinklers prevented the fire from becoming catastrophic and allowed operations to continue without a prolonged shutdown.

Investigators are currently treating the case as a breaking-and-entering and arson investigation. As of Friday, no arrests had been announced publicly. The dispensary is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has asked anyone with information about the suspects or the incident to contact detectives or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers.