Delaware pharmacy thefts on the rise

    The robbery of a Rite Aid on Capitol Trail near Newark, DE marks the 11th time a pharmacy has been robbed in the First State since January.

    Delaware State police see a troubling trend: an increase in pharmacy robberies. A Rite Aid on Capitol Trail near Newark, DE marks the 11th time a pharmacy has been robbed in the First State since January.

    Of those 11 robberies, Delaware State Police tell WHYY they have made arrests in six of the cases, and the investigations continue in the other five.

    “There have been a few more than we’ve seen in years past,” Cpl. Jeffrey Whitmarsh, Delaware State Police spokesman, said.

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    Police say last Friday morning a suspect presented a note to the Rite Aid pharmacist demanding Oxycodene and Oxycontin, while holding what appeared to be a weapon. The pharmacist placed the prescription drugs in a bag and gave it to the suspect.

    The suspect was last seen running toward Sycamore Gardens where he got into a green Ford Explorer driven by another white male. The vehicle had a cardboard tag “85222.”

    Police say the suspect is a 20-25 year old white male with short red hair. He was wearing a tan and green shirt and dark green cargo shorts.  He also wore a tan kanga hat and dark sunglasses.

    Anyone with information can talk to police anonymously by calling Crimestoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or going online at www.tipsubmit.com

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