Hometown Pharmacy break-in

A quick response from law enforcement may have prevented thieves from getting much of a haul during a Sunday morning break in at Hometown Pharmacy in Whitley City.

McCreary County Sheriff Randy Waters stated his office is conducting the investigation into the 4:00 a.m. break in and hopes to be able to identify suspects soon.

Sheriff Waters stated the thieves cut power to the building with the intent of disabling alarms, but they apparently did not account for a back-up alarm system, which alerted McCreary 911 Dispatch to the crime.

The robbers attempted to pry the front door of the business open, and failed, so they resorted to breaking the glass and making entry.

The thieves may have had access to a portable scanner, and knew they had to hurry after hearing the call dispatched to local law enforcement.

They next broke through an interior door to gain access to the rear of the store and grabbed a quantity of drugs off a shelf.

Within three minutes of the alarm sounding, McCreary County Sheriff’s Deputy Jerry Meadows arrived on scene, but the thieves had already fled the location. Sheriff Waters also responded just a few minutes behind his deputy, and together they canvassed the area but were unable to locate the criminals.

Sheriff Waters stated the only drugs the thieves managed to grab were a handful of blood pressure medication in their haste to leave.

The owner of the pharmacy is offering a reward of $2,500 for anyone who can provide information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of those responsible for the break in.

All tips can be reported to the McCreary County Sheriff’s Office at 376-2232.