HAGERSTOWN, MD - Hagerstown was hit by three robberies in thirteen days within four miles this January.
Police confirmed an undisclosed amount of Xanax robbed from the Rite Aid Pharmacy on North Burhans Boulevard, just after an attemptted robbery at the Weis Pharmacy Leitersburg Pike. Then two armed robberies at AC&T Gas on Frederick Street taking unknown amounts of cash just days before.
"The pharmacies were open businesses and there were even customers waiting in line for one of them," says Chief Mark Holtzman, with Hagerstown Police Department.
Police say the number of robberies haven't spiked but thieves are targeting prescription drugs.
Pharmacists say they typically prescribe Xanax to treat anxiety, but it can be easily abused and become addictive. A bottle of thirty pills costs between $20-40 if you don't have insurance.
Local shoppers say they feel safe but shake their heads.
"I had surgery and they put me on Oxycodone and I cut them in half because I don't want to become addicted to meds. They're very addictive, and people are out there to get them any way they can," says Alice Cox, a Hagerstown resident.
Richard Smith has lived in Hagerstown for over twenty years, he says he's always watching over his shoulder.
"It's changed a whole lot. When I first came here, there weren't many robberies or killings. Things have picked up, I think due to the economy and drug abuse," says Smith.
Two of these robberies, both at AC&T Gas were armed with knives and a club.
"If our grandparents would ever come back, they wouldn't know what to do because things have changed," adds Cox.
Police say they've installed surveillance and have increased their patrol within these areas.
Police confirmed an undisclosed amount of Xanax robbed from the Rite Aid Pharmacy on North Burhans Boulevard, just after an attemptted robbery at the Weis Pharmacy Leitersburg Pike. Then two armed robberies at AC&T Gas on Frederick Street taking unknown amounts of cash just days before.
"The pharmacies were open businesses and there were even customers waiting in line for one of them," says Chief Mark Holtzman, with Hagerstown Police Department.
Police say the number of robberies haven't spiked but thieves are targeting prescription drugs.
Pharmacists say they typically prescribe Xanax to treat anxiety, but it can be easily abused and become addictive. A bottle of thirty pills costs between $20-40 if you don't have insurance.
Local shoppers say they feel safe but shake their heads.
"I had surgery and they put me on Oxycodone and I cut them in half because I don't want to become addicted to meds. They're very addictive, and people are out there to get them any way they can," says Alice Cox, a Hagerstown resident.
Richard Smith has lived in Hagerstown for over twenty years, he says he's always watching over his shoulder.
"It's changed a whole lot. When I first came here, there weren't many robberies or killings. Things have picked up, I think due to the economy and drug abuse," says Smith.
Two of these robberies, both at AC&T Gas were armed with knives and a club.
"If our grandparents would ever come back, they wouldn't know what to do because things have changed," adds Cox.
Police say they've installed surveillance and have increased their patrol within these areas.
