Ashland Police Investigate Rite Aid Pharmacy Robbery
Joe Lyons •
July 25, 2024
ASHLAND, OH – Ashland experienced its first pharmacy robbery yesterday at the Rite Aid Pharmacy located at 419 Claremont Ave. This incident is part of a troubling trend of similar robberies happening across Ohio and neighboring states, prompting authorities to investigate a potential coordinated criminal operation targeting pharmacies.
Rite Aid Pharmacy located at 419 Claremont Ave
The Ashland robbery has raised suspicions due to its resemblance to other incidents in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and beyond. The timing and descriptions of the robbers suggest a possible link between these crimes.
Ohio ranked third in the nation for armed pharmacy robberies last year, trailing only California and Indiana. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Ohio witnessed 42 armed pharmacy robberies last year.
***Ashland Police Division is expected to release a statement soon***
In a related incident just last month, the Ada Police Department is investigating a robbery that occurred on June 24, 2024, at the Rite Aid Pharmacy at 610 S. Main St., Ada, OH. The robbery took place at 8:54 p.m., with three suspects described as black males wearing COVID-19 style masks and dressed in all-black clothing. No weapons were seen or presented, and no injuries were reported. The suspects fled on foot with prescription medications and are believed to have left town in a vehicle shortly after. The Ada Police Department has urged the community to provide any information regarding the incident by contacting Detective Eichman at (419) 558-3360.
Pharmacy Robbery Safety Tips
Pharmacy Times offers the following advice for dealing with a robbery:
Cooperate fully: Prioritize safety over heroics. No amount of stolen drugs is worth risking lives.
Observe details: Pay attention to the perpetrator’s actions and what they touch. Note if there’s an accomplice and independently record descriptions of the suspects and the event.
Identify weapons: If a weapon is displayed, observe its type and color.
Stay calm: Indicate willingness to comply with demands.
Note escape details: If possible, record the escape vehicle’s description, license number, and direction. If the suspect is on foot, note their direction and initial route of travel.
Secure the premises: Lock down the building after the event and call the police.
Wait for authorities: Cooperate fully with the police upon their arrival.
The recent surge in pharmacy robberies highlights the need for heightened vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement and the community to tackle this growing problem.