NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – At least five maternal pharmacies and retail stores have been raided across the city.
Tens of thousands of dollars worth of drugs were stolen, police said. As CBS2’s Kevin Rincon reported Friday, it’s not the job of a lone thief.
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Front window is being replaced at Strand Pharmacy in Astoria, Queens After police said at least two men broke in and stole an estimated $ 10,000 worth of prescription drugs, along with $ 2,000 in cash.
It happened on April 13.
Not far away, police said four men had smashed the front window of the Health Quest RX pharmacy with ravens, but left empty handed.
“They are looking specifically for controlled drugs, nothing else,” said a pharmacy employee. “They don’t take money or anything. They just want drugs or controlled substances ”.
Employees and her boss say just trying to steal from them is heartbreaking.
“It’s terrible because we are trying to regain the time we lost because of COVID. So it was a selfish thing they did, ”said Ashley, the employee.
“It’s a little ridiculous. I think it was shocking and we are the ones who, as health care professionals, help the community, and if we’re on target now, that’s a big deal ”, Her boss, Regina, said.
They are not alone.
Police said three men used ice to break glass at the Organic Pharmacy in Astoria. They are accused of stealing drugs worth $ 27,000 before fleeing.
On April 12, police said three men broke into the Corner pharmacy Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It has been robbed twice now, after a group of men smashed through the front window on March 26.
In both cases, the suspects fled with drugs.
“It’s sad. It’s sad that the world comes to it because it’s a very nice place out here. It’s family oriented,” said one.
It is not just targeted pharmacies. Police said a group of men also tried to rob an ATM inside a cashier by check.
“It’s scary, because we’re inside Park Slope, Brooklyn. It is arguably one of the safest areas, ”said Margarito Rosario, who works at the nearby dentist’s office.
“I bring my daughter to work every morning. So I was so scared, and then she got nervous when she saw the police, ”Michele Vila said.
They see what’s going on as signs of something else.
“This is despair. People are desperate, needing help, ”said Rosario. “This is a cry for help. This is not because people want to become criminals.
Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to call NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip through their website or on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.
CBS2’s Kevin Rincon contributed to this report.
