Vancouver police issue public warning after pharmacy heists

Vancouver police are warning local drug users that potentially toxic drugs could be on the street after a string of pharmacy robberies on July 15.

According to VPD Const. Lindsey Houghton, a significant amount of potentially harmful drugs were stolen from three Vancouver pharmacies throughout the day Friday – and could be life-threatening if mixed.

“Life for drug users in the City of Vancouver may have become more dangerous,” he said. “We fear there could be tragic results should someone use these potentially toxic substances.”

The string of heists began just after 10 a.m. Friday when two robbers – one armed with a large knife – entered a pharmacy in the 2000-block Commercial Drive. The men forced their way into the dispensary area, locked a staff member in a room and stole cash and drugs.

The drugs stolen include:

“¢ Opium powder

“¢ Methadone Powder

“¢ Methadone liquid

“¢ Dexedrine

“¢ Cesamet

“¢ Methylphenidate

“¢ Morphine

“¢ Tylenol

“¢ Cotridin Syrup

“¢ Kadian

“¢ Supudol

“¢ OxyContin

“¢ Supudol

“¢ Percocet

“¢ Clonazepan

“¢ Diazepam

“¢ Temazepan

According to a VPD press release, one suspect is described as adult male, about 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds – and was wearing a black balaclava, green gloves, blue jeans, a green jacket and black work boots. The other suspect is described as white male, about five feet, six inches tall and 160 pounds. He was also wearing a black balaclava, but with black gloves, a black jacket and blue jeans.

At 10:30 a.m. Friday, a white male in his 20s entered a pharmacy in the 3000-block Kingsway and demanded cash and drugs – a mixture of Codeine, Demerol, Dexedrine, Hydromorph, Oxycocet, Ritalin, Tylenol 2, Supendol and Co-Actifed tablets – before running away. Police searched for the man, but were unable to find him.

According to police, the man was wearing a dark blue bandana over his face, a grey hooded sweater and black pants. He is described as 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds. He was carrying a black garbage bag at the time of the robbery.

Just before 1:45 p.m. Friday, another robber entered a pharmacy on Maquinna Drive in South Vancouver and demanded money and drugs. According to police, he ran from the pharmacy with a small bag of cash and some heart and blood pressure medications.

The suspect, in his 20s, is described as white and about 5-foot-10 with a slim build. He is also described as having sores on his hands. He was wearing a white bandana over his face, a grey hooded sweater, black pants and white runners.

According to the VPD release, a number of local agencies – including INSITE, Vancouver Coastal Health, local police agencies and B.C. Ambulance Service – have been contacted about the potential risks of the stolen substances.

Houghton said any drug user feeling unwell should seek medical help immediately and urged drug users to be cautious and use services provided by INSITE.