Police seek suspect in pharmacy robbery

WINDBER — Police have identified the man suspected of stealing a large quantity of pain pills at gunpoint last week from Rite Aid Pharmacy in Windber.

An arrest warrant was issued for Raymond Foreman Jr., 21, of Portage.

“He’s is a desperate individual,” Rick Skiles, Windber police officer in charge, said Thursday.

“A terrible drug addiction,” Skiles said.

“We’re doing everything we can to apprehend him.”

Police said Foreman entered the Jefferson Avenue store at 5:42 p.m. Jan. 11 and passed a note to the pharmacist that read: “Give me all OxyContin and oxycodone. I have a gun. Don’t make me use it.”

Foreman then jumped into a car and fled with 800 OxyContin tablets, police said.

Cpl. Daniel W. Croyle Jr. and Officer Amanda Tessari interviewed witnesses and contacted other police departments.

A black handgun was recovered in a nearby alley and identified as a BB gun used in the robbery, Skiles said.

Foreman is charged with robbery, criminal conspiracy, theft, receiving stolen property, terroristic threats and drug violations.

His whereabouts remain unknown.

Zachary James Johnson, 28, also of Portage, was identified by police as the driver of the getaway car. He is expected to turn himself in to authorities, Skiles said.

A 17-year old girl also suspected of involvement will face charges in juvenile court, Skiles said.

Tips from Portage area residents led to identifying the suspects, Croyle said.

With help from Portage Officer Donald Wyar, Foreman’s movements were traced to Altoona. Windber police learned from Altoona police Sgt. Ben Jones that Foreman had stayed three days at a Ramada Inn, where he continued drug activity, Croyle said.

“All three participated in the sale and use of these,” he said.

Skiles credited the cooperation of several police departments with finding the suspects.

“This is one of those incidents that shows the great cooperation among law enforcement agencies,” Skiles said. “We’re all trying to do the same thing out there.”

Anyone with information on Foreman’s whereabouts is asked to contact Somerset County 911 at its nonemergency number: (800) 362-5060.