TORONTO

Despite a lack of co-operation from some victims, cops smoked out six suspected crooks thought to be responsible for a string of recent gunpoint pot shop heists in the city.

Toronto Police allege various members of the crew of armed robbers held up at least four marijuana dispensaries and a variety store between March 17 and April 7.

“In each of these robberies, several males entered the dispensary wearing disguises and armed with handguns,” Holdup Squad Staff.-Insp. Mike Earl said Wednesday. “The bandits physically took control of the shop employees, then made off with cash and marijuana.”

The robberies include Mother Earth at 1506 Dundas St. W., Canna Clinic at 350 Broadview Ave., Purple Dream at 1363 Dundas St. W., and Cloud 6ix at 333 Spadina Ave.

Earl said two of the accused and a third male, who has not yet been identified, are also believed to be behind a violent March 15 heist at a Rexdale convenience store — near Rexdale Blvd. and Islington Ave.

“In that robbery, the bandits tackled the employee to the ground, then stole cash and lottery tickets,” he said.

Investigators arrested four teenage boys, a woman and a man on April 13.

The accused — Nejahwan Grant, 20. and Kayla Couto, 24, both of Mississauga, three Pickering boys, aged 15, 16 and 17, and a 16-year-old Toronto boy — face an assortment of related charges and are expected to appear at Old City Hall court on Friday.

Earl said the investigation is ongoing and it’s possible more illegal weed shops were robbed but never told authorities about the crime.

“Some of these robberies were not reported to police,” he said. “Furthermore, some owners and victims have been unwilling to co-operate with the investigation.”

Earl believes bandits who have been targeting dispensaries in the city “count on” staff staying mum.

“So it’s important that any dispensary owners or employees who have been victimized come forward,” he said, adding it would be especially helpful if the shops also handed surveillance video over to cops.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Holdup Unit at 416-808-7350 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477.

cdoucette@postmedia.com