PHOENIX — Two people cut through the walls of two pharmacies in Phoenix last year and stole large amounts of oxycodone, and now police are asking for the public's help in identifying the people involved.
Police said the suspects, who were captured on surveillance video, broke into S & G Pharmacy, near 35th and Peoria Avenues, and MG Pharmacy, near Bell Road and 45th Avenue, in November and December and "took large amounts of oxycodone."
Police released three photos of the alleged suspects from the surveillance video. Both suspects are described as wearing dark clothing and face masks.
ABC15 spoke to a pharmacist who works at the Peoria Avenue Medical Park who wants to remain anonymous, out of fear for his safety.
He said he's had drugs stolen from him so many times in his 40-year career, he's put up signs encouraging people to wear a mask - not a ski mask. He said he's been held at gunpoint for pills multiple times.
A video given to ABC15 shows two thieves wearing masks and dark hoodies outside the business park on Bell Road.
"The street value we estimated with our drug enforcement unit was over $30,000 total value between the two burglaries," said Sgt. Steve Reaume with Phoenix Police.
The pharmacist and police suspect the thieves used construction tools to cut through a wall of a neighboring business to get into the pharmacy.
Once inside, thousands of dollars in pills were stolen. Thieves even cut through the back of a safe to get oxycodone that was locked away.
"Not shocking how they broke in like I said I've had robberies before, they've broke glass, they broke the front door, but how they did it was very professional," said the pharmacist.
Police are now faced with the challenge of trying to identify masked thieves.
What adds to the urgency for police is knowing thousands in opioids are now back on Valley streets, adding to the crisis where so many are already addicted.
"We worry about people overdosing and having to deal with that, and explain to someone's family when their loved one overdoses," said Sgt. Reaume.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Phoenix Police Department or Silent Witness, 480-WITNESS.
