Woodbridge pharmacy robbery latest in narcotics theft trend

WASHINGTON — On Feb. 5, a man walked into a Woodbridge Giant and robbed the pharmacy.

But he wasn’t there for money. He wanted drugs.

It’s another in a line of pharmacy robberies in recent years.

Prince William County police say the suspect came into the store around 3:40 p.m. that Thursday afternoon and demanded prescription drugs and implied he had a gun.  Police describe him as 6 feet tall and white with blues eyes. He has a medium build and is between 40 and 45 years old. They say he wore a mask and had white gloves.

Prescription drug abuse is a major problem in the U.S. and narcotics sold illegally on the street can go for big bucks.

Meanwhile, the FBI, along with other police agencies, is trying to bring down a serial pharmacy robber in Virginia who steals oxycodone. The first robbery credited to him took place on July 15, 2014 and the most recent took place on Nov. 17, 2014. He is described as a black man standing about 5 feet 9 inches tall. He always wears a baseball cap and holds a white cloth over his face. He implies he has a gun in his waist band or displays one.

The FBI is offering a $15,000 reward.

Security camera footage shows a suspect in a string of Virginia pharmacy robberies. This man is not the same suspect as the Feb. 5 pharmacy robbery. (FBI)
Security camera footage shows a suspect in a string of Virginia pharmacy robberies. This man is not the same suspect as the Feb. 5 pharmacy robbery. (FBI)

Police have pictures of him robbing various CVS and Rite-Aid stores.  He’s hit stores in Henrico, Hanover, Arlington and Prince William counties and the cities of Fredericksburg, Williamsburg, Hampton and Newport News.

In January, the District also saw a rash of pharmacy robberies.

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