Police Probe Early Morning Pill Heist
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WATER VALLEY – The police department is investigating an early morning pharmacy burglary at Valley Drugs after thieves penetrated an exterior wall and stole over 3,000 oxycodone and hydrocodone pills.
“This was not a smash and grab type of burglary, it was very well thought out and executed,” Chief Jason Mangrum reported about Saturday’s heist at Valley Drugs on Main Street. “The total time from when they first attempted entry until final exit was roughly three hours.”
The investigation is ongoing, but the chief said a hole had been cut in the roof and an exterior wall and at least two suspects were involved. Mangrum added that it appears the roof entry was aborted due to the distance from the rooftop to the suspended ceiling inside the building.
“It would have been a pretty good drop down into the building,” Mangrum said. “They ended up cutting the exterior wall at the restaurant next door, and then broke through an adjoining interior wall.”
The chief said interior security cameras showed entry around 1 a.m. Saturday. He added that the suspects attempted to conceal their faces and stay away from the cameras as much as possible. The break-in was reported Saturday morning as employees arrived at work. He said evidence indicates this was not a street level user but instead likely a more professional hit.
“Unfortunately pharmacy burglaries are not that uncommon. Oxford had a string of them in December and January,” he told the Herald. “And if it involves out-of-town rings, they can be difficult to solve.”
Assisting agencies in the investigation include the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN), Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department, Oxford Police Department and Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department.
“We are coordinating with some of the neighboring agencies to see if this crime may be similar to pharmacy burglaries in their area. There have also been some in Alabama recently,” the chief explained.
Anyone who may have noticed anything suspicious during the early morning hours in the vicinity of Valley Drugs and the shopping center is urged to contact the police department at (662) 473-2933.
“It could be a vehicle or a person in the area. Let us know if you saw anything,” Mangrum said.
