TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Nurse Accused Of Robbing Facility To Get Drugs

ADVERTISEMENT

TBO.com

Published: December 3, 2008

  Michael Villafana

A masked man entered the Highland Pines nursing home in Clearwater on the night of Nov. 26, pulled out a gun and demanded drugs from the employees inside, police say.

The masked man knew the access code to gain entry and leave the building, Clearwater police say.

During the investigation, detectives discovered the man is a licensed nurse who works at the nursing home, police spokeswoman Elizabeth Watts said in a statement.

Michael Villafana, 31, of 600 Starkey Road, No. 914, was arrested Tuesday and charged with armed robbery. Detectives say Villafana had taken sick leave on the day of the incident and committed the robbery at 111 S. Highland Ave., Clearwater, because he is addicted to pain medication.

Detectives seized a .9mm pistol and medication including liquid morphine, hydrocodone, methadone, alprazolam, oxycodone and liquid lorazepam.

Additional charges are pending, Watts said.

Villafana is being held today at Pinellas County Jail on $50,000 bail.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT