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Palm Harbor Drugstore Robber Fires Shot Into Ceiling

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 15, 2008

Updated: 07/15/2008 02:15 pm

PALM HARBOR - A man robbed a pharmacy this morning, ordering staff and customers to the floor before firing a single shot into the ceiling and demanding painkillers, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

The man robbed St. George Pharmacy, at 31201 U.S. 19 N., about 10 a.m., Sgt. Jim Bordner said.

Detectives say the man was brandishing a handgun when he entered the drugstore. He ordered the employees and customers to the floor and fired a single shot into the ceiling while demanding prescription drugs. The pharmacist complied, and the man fled with an undisclosed amount of drugs.

No one was injured.

One witness who asked that his name not be used said the gunman demanded oxycodone.

"I guess we weren't moving fast enough" when everyone was asked to lie on the floor, so he fired a shot into the ceiling. The man then told everyone to remain on the ground and not go outside and that he had a high-powered rifle, the witness told News Channel 8.

The man is white and 18 to 30 years old, Bordner said. He is 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet tall and weighs 165 to 195 pounds. He was wearing a dark jacket.

Anyone with information should call Detective Nicholas Bedy at (727) 582-6200 or, to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-8477.

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