Police Issue Calgary Pharmacy Theft Warning After Consecutive Incidents – Calgary | The Canadian News

After two pharmacies were robbed in as many days, the Calgary Police Service issued a warning about the incidents on Friday.

On November 17, two suspects entered the Walmart Pharmacy dispensary area at 1212 37 Street SW around 11 a.m.

The suspects confronted the staff with a knife and demanded drugs. The two fled the store with various items in a black Adidas duffel bag.

Police said both suspects are believed to be between the ages of 16 and 18 and are around 5-foot-9 and slim.

They both wore black clothing and a blue surgical-style mask and white gloves.

On November 18, four suspects ran into Pharmasave at 79 Martindale Blvd. NE, yelling at staff and customers to get on the ground around 8:15 pm.

Two of the suspects were carrying weapons and demanded that staff open the safe. Police said an employee was kicked and hit with a pistol by one of the suspects.

The four were able to get drugs and cash and ran through the back of the building to a waiting vehicle.

Police described the four suspects as 16 or 17 years old and all wore black clothing, face masks and black backpacks.

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Anyone with information on the suspects should call the police at 403-266-1234. Tips can also be shared anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or online.

Police are warning pharmacy staff of what officers call an “ongoing criminal trend of drug store robberies” occurring in Calgary.

“Similar robberies are also occurring at cannabis stores and mobile phone stores at an increasing rate and these types of robberies have become increasingly violent over time,” said Staff Sgt. Rob Harbidge said.

“These events have a damaging impact on victims, businesses and citizens present while a crime occurs, and we are requesting the public’s help in notifying the police when they see suspicious or criminal behavior.”

In 2021 alone, police have been called to 80 pharmacies in Calgary.

In most cases, armed suspects approach staff, rush behind counters, and demand access to secured drugs and cash.

Pharmacy owners and staff are encouraged to:

• Trust your instincts. If you witness suspicious behavior, contact the police.
• Minimize the amount of cash and medications available on site.
• Keep safes locked at all times.
• Use a panic alarm for employees.
• Place height tape on the inside side of the main entrance door.
• Keep all doors that separate the pharmacy from the store closed.
• CCTV Tips:
  • Test your cameras to make sure they are working.
  • Make sure the quality of the images is sufficient to identify suspects.
  • Have a determined approach.
  • Position at least one camera to have a level line of sight to users.
  • Make sure that your staff can access the video content at any time, and if possible, move the video to cloud-based storage. After an event, this footage will be required as soon as possible for descriptions.

If a theft occurs, the CPS says to call 9-1-1 immediately and lock the doors of the business after the suspect or suspects leave to preserve any evidence.

Citizens are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings while shopping and take note of any suspicious behavior and if anyone detects suspicious behavior, especially people behind employee counters, hidden people running out of stores, or think they are happening a crime, go to a safe. location to notify staff or call the police.