SOUTH SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – Pharmacies are fighting back after a rash of oxycontin robberies.
Pharmacies are getting hit hard. And in the past month, at least three groups are targeting rite aids and other pharmacies in the Salt Lake valley.
"We've been plagued by these oxycontin robberies at our Rite Aid and with other surrounding agencies too,” said Gary Keller with the South Salt Lake Police Department.
But yesterday, Rite Aid took action. Security guards are now posted at some of their stores in an effort to stop the robberies.
“If they (robbers) keep doing this maybe they'll figure out that stores are on guard watching for them,” said Mardene Dennison who gets her prescriptions at Rite Aid.
“Maybe it will slow them down or something.”
Pharmacist Dale Loveridge hides his oxycontin now since his pharmacy was robbed twice.
"Makes you very apprehensive when they come in and flash a gun at you, what are we going to do, how anxious are they to use that thing or are they using it as a scare tactic," he said.
He said no one was hurt and no shots were fired. But after the second robbery he bought a two ton security blanket.
It's a time lock safe. Anyone, including robbers wanting oxycontin must wait 30 minutes for it to open. He says it was recently tested by a robber.
“He just turned around and walked away which is what we wanted and we were glad that he did,” said Loveridge.
Loveridge believes word is spreading among robbers that they'll have to wait in line for oxycontin at his pharmacy.
