WASHINGTON — A man stole a bottle of oxycodone during an armed robbery at the CVS Pharmacy in the Dupont Circle neighborhood in Northwest D.C., according to police.
The incident report indicates that just after 10 a.m. on Sunday, the armed man approached the pharmacy counter located on the second floor of the CVS and pulled out a silver gun from his jacket.
"I need all the oxycontin you have, you have five minutes, I will shoot you," the suspect allegedly told the woman at the counter according to the report.
Police say the victim at the counter informed the pharmacist who proceeded to give the man a bottle of oxycodone. The man demanded a second bottle, but was told that the pharmacy only had one, according to the report.
Police provided a vague description of the robber who they said ran towards the Dupont Metro Station.
Outside the CVS a surveillance system has been installed with a recording that says in part, "Thank you for shopping at CVS. We appreciate you and value your business. Please note this area is currently under surveillance."
The robbery at the Northwest pharmacy brings to light two issues that the District is simultaneously grappling with, crime and opioids.
Last week, the District Council passed a measure urging Mayor Muriel Bowser to declare a public health emergency over the opioid epidemic in an effort to make it easier to enact legislation and policy changes. The resolution says the public health emergency raises awareness, and would help foster coordination among healthcare providers, law enforcement, and community groups.
At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson who sponsored the measure and chairs the Committee on Health says D.C. is on pace to have more than 400 opioid related deaths in 2023.
At the same time, the District has registered over 3,000 robberies so far this year. That's over 1,200 more than during the same time last year, according to police data.
Last month, Mayor Muriel Bowser introduced a legislative plan specifically targeting retail theft. "We are creating criminal penalties and establishing a new crime directed for organized retail theft in our city," she told the crowd as she announced the Addressing Crime Trends Now Act.
Giant recently announced they are removing some brand name products from its store in Southeast D.C. due to shoplifting. The CVS Pharmacy in Columbia Heights has garnered attention after people posted videos of the empty shelves. An employee told WUSA9 that thieves are stealing merchandise from the delivery trucks before it even makes it into the store.
Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Lindsey Appiah said during a safety walk in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood that Bowser's plan targets repeat retail theft offenders. "There is a provision in there that would allow us to aggregate value of $250, which is not a lot, but it's what we see with deodorant, laundry detergent, those types of items, over a 30-day period," Appiah explained.
Bowser's legislation is supported by newly confirmed Police Chief Pamela Smith who also announced that she is working with Target to create a safety plan that addresses retail theft.