Pharmacy robber hits twice, gets guard’s gun www.privateofficer.com
VANCLEAVE, MS Jan 31 2011 – It was the same man, using the same mask with the same M.O.
“This guy, he’s just pretty brazen about what he does,” said Jackson County Sheriff Mike Byrd.
Surveillance video from the robbery just two weeks ago is eerily similar to what happened around 1:00 Saturday afternoon. Three workers at the Save-Rex Pharmacy found themselves face to face with a recurring nightmare.
A masked man barged into the store brandishing a gun and bolted toward the counter. Then, he locked the employees inside.
Byrd said the store had just hired a security guard following the first robbery.
“The security guard saw him when he came in and started to draw down on him, but it was just too late the guy was on him too quick,” Byrd said.
The suspect turned his gun on the guard and took his gun. He demanded three bottles of OxyContin, then escaped out the back door. There were no customers inside, and no workers were injured.
Though it all lasted about five minutes, workers said it was a nightmarish scene that keeps playing in their heads.
Byrd said, “They’re pretty shook up, and they have every right to be shook up.”
So is Charlotte Banas. Her husband is the dentist next door. She said the robbery earlier this month was bad enough, but a repeat robbery is just unnerving
“I’ve been paying attention all over the coast,” Banas said. “There are many desperate people out there doing some pretty stupid things and putting people’s lives in jeopardy in the process, and it’s very scary.
Byrd said since the man came in on foot, he’s likely staying in the area. The Sheriff has seven detectives on the case and 15 deputy sheriffs on alert for the man; however, even Byrd admits it’s been a tough situation.
“It’s very frustrating because we’re following up a bunch of leads that we got last time that led us to dead ends,” Byrd said.
In the meantime, Banas said there’s one thing everyone can do to help.
“We all on the coast need to be vigil with our small businesses and keeping an eye open on these types of things,” Banas urged.
When caught, the suspect is facing armed robbery and a kidnapping charge for holding the guard. The owner of Sav-Rex Pharmacy said he the store will be closed Monday, but will reopen Tuesday.
Sheriff’s deputies are looking for a white male, 5’8″ to 5’9″, about 165 to 170 pounds. He has a star tattoo on the inner side of his left wrist and is was wearing a thin beard.
If you have any information on this crime, please contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at (228) 769-3063.
Source:WLOX
