Truck Loaded With Pharmaceuticals Stolen From Outside Costco: PD

VALLEJO, CA — A truck loaded with pharmaceuticals was stolen Monday from outside a Costco store in Vallejo, police said. At 12:38 p.m., a 911 caller reported the box truck containing prescription medications was parked in front of Costco Wholesale, 198 Plaza Drive, but had been taken, Vallejo police said.

Officers tracked the truck — which contained five sealed boxes and 26 sealed totes of various pharmaceutical drugs — some 2.5 miles across town to the 2000 block of Ascot Parkway, Vallejo police Lt. Jason Potts said.

As officers approached the truck, they tried to make contact with the driver, later identified as Lembrent Rubin, 34 of Oakland, Potts said.

"Officers saw Rubin walking away from the truck and yelled for him to stop," Potts said. "However, instead of stopping, Rubin fled on foot."

As Rubin ran, officers reportedly saw him grabbing the right side of his pants, Potts said.

Rubin was reportedly taken into custody following a brief chase.

"A loaded .25-caliber Beretta 950 with seven rounds was located under his body near his right front pants pocket," Potts said.

Rubin, who is on federal probation for interstate robbery with a firearm, was booked into Solano County Jail on suspicion of vehicle theft, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, resisting an officer, and violation of federal probation charges.

Police were able to recover the truck. Neither the amount nor exact value of pharmaceuticals it contained when taken had been determined late Monday.

Anyone with information about the incident was encouraged to call the Vallejo Police Department Investigations Division. Tipsters can remain anonymous by calling Solano County Crime Stoppers at 707-644-STOP.