Tampa Pharmacists Say 'No' To Armed Robber Seeking Drugs

TAMPA, FL -- Tampa Police detectives are seeking the public's help identifying an armed man who attempted to rob two pharmacies.

The latest botched robbery took place at a CVS store at 625 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. on April 21. The would-be robber entered the store shortly after 9 a.m., walked directly toward the pharmacy and showed the clerk a black firearm while demanding Hydrocodone pills. The man fled the store after the clerk refused to give him any prescription medication.

Detectives believe the same suspect tried to commit a similar armed robbery on April 19 at The Drug Shoppe, 4060 N. Armenia Ave. During that robbery, the man approached the counter and passed the pharmacy clerk a hand-written note demanding Oxycontin. During the encounter, the suspect pulled up his jacket to show the employee what appeared to be a black pistol. He never spoke during the robbery and left the store without receiving any prescription drugs.

The suspect covered his face with a cloth during both attempted robberies. He is described as white, 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet tall. He was last seen wearing a gray and white-striped hoodie, a flannel shirt, gray-green cargo shorts and a pair of lot-cut black and white shoes.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers to be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000, 1-800-873-TIPS.

Video via Tampa Police