Latest Pharmacy Heist Caught On Camera

FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) - The latest in a string of drug heists at area pharmacies was caught on camera.

It happened early Sunday morning at the Medex Pharmacy on the 17th Street Causeway in Ft. Lauderdale. Wearing pantyhose over his head to conceal his identity, the crook broke in through the roof.

"He was going for the pills that get you high," said Ft. Lauderdale Detective Travis Mandell as he watches the tape. "He was looking for the pills that people will be 'under the influence' because of."

Mandell said after taking what he wanted, the burglar realized he had a problem – no way out.

"Now he starts to panic a little bit," said Mandell as he narrated the events on the video. "He grabs a case of pop and throws it against the door, it doesn't' break. He runs up, tries to kick it, it still doesn't break. Then he goes and takes his bag that's filled with the pills and the cash and tries to break the door and still can't do it. Luckily for him, I guess, a blunt object fell out of his bag and he was able to break the glass and flee the scene."

Three weeks ago, a Drugs 4 Less Pharmacy on Powerline Road in Pompano Beach was burglarized. Again surveillance cameras captured the bad guy which police have dubbed "Houdini" for the way he squeezed through the metal security bars.

Amir Serri, who works at pharmacy, said the man appeared to know exactly where to go.

"He knew what he was taking. He was going for controlled substances; he was not going for blood pressure medications, cholesterol medications. He knew exactly what he was going for," said Serri.

In January, an armed man walked into the "Medical Plaza Pharmacy" in Plantation and demanded money and oxycodone.

Judging by the drugs they're taking, pharmacists have become increasingly concerned knowing that these crooks are after a high that could kill them.

"What they're doing is crushing them or snorting them, they're getting a rush it's almost like heroin," said Serri. "It's very dangerous."

Anyone with information on these burglaries or robbery is asked to call Broward County Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS.