Repeat robbery at pharmacy 'felt like Groundhog Day'

Dunedin police officers indicate the direction in which a man fled after the alleged aggravated robbery of Forbury Pharmacy. Photo by Peter McIntosh.

Police were called to Forbury Pharmacy, near Forbury Corner, Dunedin, after a man allegedly threatened three staff members before tying them with masking tape, and leaving the premises with cash and prescription medicine just after 5.30pm.

He was later pepper-sprayed following a short pursuit on foot, which ended in Ruskin Tce, where he allegedly threatened police.

Pharmacy owner Kim Wallis told the Otago Daily Times the incident was "almost identical" to the July robbery.

"It felt like Groundhog Day."

In that incident, a knife-wielding man entered the pharmacy at 5.25pm and herded staff into a back room before running off along Ruskin Tce with some prescription drugs.

Mrs Wallis said both robberies occurred at closing time and she was near the front door - but obscured from the alleged robber's line of sight when he walked to the counter.

"I saw him before he pulled down his balaclava and informed staff it was a hold-up."

A man demanded Ritalin in both robberies, and also took cash in the most recent incident.

Mrs Wallis was able to slip out the front door, and as in the first incident contacted police via a neighbouring shop's landline.

Go here to read the rest:
Repeat robbery at pharmacy 'felt like Groundhog Day'