Thieves looking to make a quick buck are targeting Tulsa pharmacies.
This week Tulsa police caught up with two suspects in connection with the theft of narcotics at the Utica Park Pharmacy.
However, it happened again at the Drug Warehouse at 1150 S. Garnett Road and T-Roy Barnes Pharmacy at 9757 E. 31st Street.
FOX23’s Abbie Alford explains why police say these are specialized thieves.
Surveillance video shows the thief jump through the drive-thru window at the Drug Warehouse.
As he scans the aisles, the crook obviously has a drug of choice and it didn’t take him long to find hundreds of Lortab pills. In less than five minutes the crook made out with 641 Hydrocodone pills, which is one of the most commonly abused prescription drugs in the country.
"When people get addicted to it. One way or another they have to get a hold of it. So if they can't get it through a forged prescription they are trying to pull a burglary or a robbery," says Coy Jenkins, Loss & Prevention Officer for USA Drug.
Police call pharmacy thieves “specialized” burglars. And this time the thief hit another pharmacy, T-Roy Barnes Drugery.
"Pharmacy burglars are not the same as a residential burglar and he's not the same as a smash-and-grab," says TPD Burglary Sgt. Brandon Watkins. "It's easy to find a market for the flat-screen that you steal. Its' a little harder to find a safe market to get rid of all the drugs that you steal."
However, thieves are finding a way: there’s a booming black market.
At Barnes Pharmacy, the thief shoves about a dozen bottles of Hydrocodone and Xanax, an extremely addictive anti-psychotic.
The thief was fast but the security camera didn’t miss a moment.
“I think it's just a matter of time before someone recognizes him and turns him in,” says Jenkins.
If you have any information about these pharmacy break-ins or other crimes call Crime Stoppers at (918) 596-COPS (2677) or text a tip to “CRIMES” (274637) and begin your message with “TIP918” or you can submit a tip online at www.tipsubmit.com. Remember you never have to give your name and your tip could lead to a cash reward.
