Thieves helping themselves to drugs, money

January 14, 2014 12:00 AM

STOCKTON - Police have been stymied by a series of robberies and burglaries of Stockton pharmacies, including several armed takeovers during which employees and customers are ordered to the ground and the robbers jumped over counters, stealing drugs and cash.

At least seven incidents at five different pharmacies dating back to May 20 have occurred, including five in the past two months, but Stockton police have little evidence to follow up on.

"Our investigators don't have any solvable leads, so right now they're hoping someone will have information regarding one or more of these robberies and burglaries to lead them to a good arrest," police spokesman Officer Joe Silva said Monday.

All the reported incidents have taken place in locally owned pharmacies, not any of the major chain stores, and no one has been reported injured.

One of the primary targets of the robbers has been promethazine with codeine, a syrup that commands a street price of anywhere from $200 to $1,200 a pint, according to law enforcement authorities.

When used for its intended medical purposes, prescription promethazine with codeine treats cold or allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing and cough, according to Drugs.com. The codeine is a narcotic intended for pain relief and suppressing coughs.

On the street, Promethazine is the primary ingredient in Purple Drank, a concoction that involves mixing the syrup with Sprite or Mountain Dew, then adding ice and Jolly Rancher candies to add color and flavor.

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Pharmacy robberies worry city