Robbers attempt to steal Wasilla marijuana

ANCHORAGE (AP) -- Armed robbers attempted to steal marijuana plants early Tuesday that were being illegally grown in a Wasilla home.

An anonymous male called Alaska State Troopers at 1:41 a.m. to report several men with guns outside a home. Two men went inside and began cutting the marijuana plants, the caller reported.

The caller then heard at least one gun shot from the home. Troopers spokesman Greg Wilkinson said it appears one of the residents fired a warning shot, causing the robbers to flee.

''Once troopers arrived on scene they smelled the marijuana and had the two (residents) hang around while they got a search warrant,'' Wilkinson said.

Troopers said they found 18 marijuana plants growing inside the residence of Travis and Brian Lizer, ages 23 and 26. The case against them will be referred to the Palmer district attorney's office, troopers said.

The investigation into the attempted robbery continues.

Last week, two armed robbers invaded an Anchorage apartment and stole five plants being grown by an AIDS patient with a medical marijuana permit.