The owner of Baccalieu Trail Pharmacy in South River said a terrifying incident at her business this morning has left her employees feeling distressed and uneasy.
At about mid-morning, business owner Linda Sesk said a male wearing a mask and carrying a firearm walked into the store, marched to the pharmacy at the rear of the building, and demanded a specific drug from the pharmacist.
"He pointed the gun directly at the pharmacist," said Sesk.
She says the pharmacist threw a quantity of the drug — Sesk would not identify the drug — onto the floor, and the suspect quickly fled the building.
"It was all over very quickly," she said.
A 25-year-old male from Carbonear was later arrested in connection with the incident. A .22 calibre rifle was in his possession at the time of his apprehension.
Police received a call just before 11 a.m. The suspect was arrested after his white Mitsubishi Lancer was observed travelling towards Bay Roberts on Veterans Memorial Highway.
RCMP officers stopped the vehicle and arrested the individual at the access road to Harbour Grace.
Three police vehicles, including a police service dog and its handler, were at the scene this afternoon.
A yellow police line was secured to the front of the building.
The owner said four of the five employees on duty at the time witnessed the incident. She was unsure of the number of customers in the store.
"The girls are very upset, and as you can imagine, the pharmacist is very upset. I'm told the gun was loaded," said Sesk.
"It helps that they have him, but it's very disappointing," she added. "I believe this was a very desperate young person who couldn't get a prescription filled, and needed it right away."
Sesk said the pharmacy would remain closed for the day, but would reopen for business on Tuesday (Aug. 21).
A police spokesman said the suspect will likely make a first court appearance on Tuesday morning, in Harbour Grace or Placentia.
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(Earlier story)
A 25-year-old man from Carbonear was arrested this morning by police with the Trinity-Conception district of the RCMP in connection with a robbery at the Baccalieu Trail Pharmacy in South River.
The man was arrested after his white Mitsubishi Lancer was observed by traveling towards Bay Roberts on Veterans Highway.
Police stopped the vehicle at the access road to Harbour Grace.
The RCMP said no shots were fired during the robbery but the man was in possession of a .22 calibre rifle at the time of his arrest.
The police say more information may become available as the investigation develops.
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Exactly, take a walk in their shoes. So correct to say that alot of young people in the area have been destroyed by these drugs, but in saying that we have to keep in mind that everyone has the choice. I know this young man and he was an outstanding fella growing up but alot of things around him changed. The family has had to deal with alot in recent years. I feel most sad for his parents. I don't doubt for one second that they raised him as correct as one would expect but when you start beating around with the wrong crowd and these drugs become the norm there's not much that the upbringing can influence. There are lots of stories to be told about what these pills/drugs have done to the young people in Carbonear area that can't even be said here or in the news. Unbelievable really. But, all things aside, the young man decided to do everything he did and unfortunately he now has to pay the price and even worse his family will also have this burden.