Man Tries To Grab Drug Store Pills, Returns

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Police said a man jumped over a pharmacy counter at the Highway 153 Walgreens and grabbed some pills, then he returned to the same store several hours later.

The case of Eric Dewayne Smartt of 936 McFarland Road, Rossville, was bound to the Grand Jury on Thursday.

General Sessions Court Judge Bob Moon raised his bond from $5,000 that had been set by a magistrate to $50,000.

Ed Carr, assistant manager, said he was notified that a man wearing a hat had jumped the counter and begun snatching bills and putting them in a 40-gallon garbage bag at 11:30 on June 24.

He said he notified employees not to try to stop the man, but let him go out while police were summoned. He said the man left the bag behind. He said he had grabbed mainly anti-biotics.

Mr. Carr said he got a report shortly after 4 a.m. the next morning that a suspicious-looking man was standing in front of the drug store. He said a female customer was afraid to go outside.

He said he checked on the man and found it was the one who had tried to take the pills earlier. He said he was wearing different clothes and was minus the hat.

Mr. Carr said he asked the man what he was doing and he said he was waiting on a ride. He said he told him he could not come inside. He was then picked up by police.

Mr. Carr said the man "seemed to be under the influence of something. He had dark circles under his eyes."

Police obtained video showing Smartt entering the store the first time.

Authorities said Smartt is on probation after getting a suspended eight-year sentence out of Division II of Criminal Court for robbery.

Judge Moon noted the case happened out in the suburbs "and not in the inner city.

He asked arresting officer Dale Taylor, "Do you think we have just certain isolated areas where crime occurs."

The officer said No.

Judge Moon said, "I don't think so either."


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