Police in Washington state often come across guard dogs when entering properties, but what they discovered at a man’s home in Olympia was quite out of the ordinary.
When responding to the home of Darren C. Shore (yes, it can be read seashore), officers discovered two 5-foot-long alligators guarding the man’s marijuana plants.
“They were there for protection for the marijuana grow area. They were just crawling around on the floor,” Sheriff Spokesman Lt. Greg Elwin recalled about the incident on Monday.
To add to the bizarre scene, police were greeted by an stripper standing next to a floor-to-ceiling brass stripper pole nearby the ganja.
A woman who claimed to be Shore’s girlfriend helped the officers put the gators into a bathtub.
The 41-year-old Shore was arrested at the scene, accused of shooting 30-year-old Ryan Lemcke over an unsatisfied exchange of Vicadin pills for physical labor.
Shore told authorities that Lemcke, who was admitted to a hospital with a bullet wound in his bicep, agreed to help him move a hot tub in exchange for the prescription drugs, but Shore later decided he didn’t want to go through with the deal.
Shore said he consequently informed Lemcke’s stepmother of the suggested exchange, which led to Lemcke sending an angry text message telling Shore that he was on his way to see him.
Lemcke denies these allegations.
Armed with a pistol for protection, Shore told police he waited for Lemcke to arrive before firing several shots at his vehicle, one into Lemcke’s bicep and another grazing his shoulder.
The animals, described as pets by both Shore and a defending neighbor, are legally owned by him according to a spokesperson with Animal Services of Thurston County speaking to The Olympian.
Shore’s mother further argued the marijuana plants are grown for her son’s back pain.
Marijuana was legalized in Washington in the last elections, but only up to one ounce. Shore’s plants far exceeded that amount.
Shore was held on $200,000 bail with a judge finding probably cause for a potential charge of first-degree assault.
Prosecutors have until Thursday to file formal charges.
It sounds like Shore’s home is either the coolest or scariest place to be, depending on your relationship with him.
Stephen Willard | Elite.
