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Samantha Hayes Reporting The first robbery happened this morning in Kearns. The second in South Ogden. They're the latest in a rash of pharmacy thefts.
Detectives say oxycontin is the painkiller of choice in recent years, for patients, but also for thieves.
Pharmacists become more wary as those wanting to steal the drug become more determined.
There have been several oxycontin related thefts in the news recently with some pharmacies hit more than once.
Detectives say what happened at this Walgreens is strange. While it was going on, nobody but the pharmacist knew about it, even though the store was busy at 7:55 this morning.
When he walked into the store he must have looked like anyone else just standing in line waiting to fill a prescription.
Capt. Dave Burdett, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office: "A very patient robber if you will. Waited in line as the pharmacist waited on at least one customer at the counter and another at the drive up window he waited his turn and at that point insinuated he had a gun and said he didn't want to hurt anyone and asked for the oxycontin."
But he also warned the woman not to call police and not to hit the panic button.
Capt. Burdett: "The pharmacist was helping a customer after the robber left and she told that customer, ‘would you please call the police, 911, I've been robbed.'"
Sheriff's deputies say they were in the parking lot just about a minute after the 911 call came in. The problem was the 911 call came in too late.
Capt. Burdett: "So we are getting the message from a citizen who is on her phone with the pharmacist calling 911 and by the time the info gets to us the guy runs out of the store."
Two hours later there was another robbery in South Ogden. A suspect held up an IHC medical facility, taking prescription drugs and money. However, in this case the surveillance video provided detectives with a good description of the suspect which they will need because he got away.
Chief Val Shupe, South Ogden Police Dept.: "We set up a perimeter, used dogs, but were unable to track him down."
Detectives say that surveillance video can be imperative in theft cases, but often times the quality is not good enough clearly identify the suspect.
