Man robs Provo pharmacy or oxycotin

An unidentified man used a note to rob a Provo pharmacy of oxycontin, Tuesday.

The man entered Edgemont Pharmacy on Canyon Road just before 1:40 p.m., wearing a faded, tan Carhart-style jacket and a gray and green striped knit beanie.

The suspect was described as a white male, age 20-30, 5-foot-11 and approximately 190 pounds.

The thief had light-colored facial hair and was seen with a medium-sized bandage on the side of his face.

The pharmacy was not equipped with video surveillance equipment.

The adult male walked around the pharmacy asking one of the employees about items they sell.

The suspect waited until everyone else had left the business before approaching the pharmacy counter. He then handed a note over to the pharmacist.

The note demanded oxycontin and stated that if the pharmacist did not cooperate, someone would be shot, according to a press release.

The pharmacist then gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of oxycontin. The suspect then took back the note along with the oxycontin and left. He was last seen traveling northeast on foot.

Although no weapon was visible, the offense is considered armed robbery because of Utah Legislative law 76-6-302. The law states aggravated robbery has occurred if in the course of committing robbery a dangerous weapon is used or threatened to be used.

"It's considered aggravated robbery even if no one sees a weapon," said Officer Tyler Nisonger of the Provo City Police Department.

"Oxycontin is a pain reliever for chronic pain," said Craig Swenson, a pharmacist at the BYU Student Health Clinic.

"These people will crush it up and inject it to get one big rush," said Swenson, when asked why oxycontin is such a popular street drug.

Many pharmacies no longer carry oxycontin on a regular basis and only stock it when special orders come in for the drug. Even then, many pharmacies only have oxycontin in their possession for a short time.

"There is a sign on our door that says we don't carry oxycontin," said Natalie Cartchner, an intern at the pharmacy. "If people call in we will have the order [of oxycontin] ready for them."

Anyone with information on pharmacy thefts is asked to contact Provo City Police Dispatch at (801) 852-6210.

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