Police say she left with an undisclosed amount of pills after giving workers a note demanding drugs. She is described as being heavyset and about 5'2" tall. She had a blue bandana over her mouth. Anyone with information, please call the Springfield police at 802-885-2113.
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20110908/NEWS02/709089932/1003/NEWS02
Published September 8, 2011 in the Rutland Herald
Rite Aid robbed again
SPRINGFIELD — For the third time this year, someone has robbed the Rite Aid Pharmacy in Springfield.
The latest robbery happened Tuesday around 10 a.m., said Springfield Police Chief Douglas Johnston. No one was hurt in the armed robbery.
Surveillance footage shows what police believe was a woman, her face covered by a bandanna and a hat covering her head, holding up a store employee at the pharmacy counter in the rear of the store.
Johnston said the robber used a weapon, although he refused to disclose what it was. The photo shows the woman holding a handgun of some kind.
The police chief said he believed that Oxycontin pills were taken in the robbery. The woman handed a note to people, asking for pills.
The pharmacy, which is located in the busy Springfield Shopping Plaza, has been robbed three times this year: March, April and now September, the chief said.
He said the Rite Aid store had taken steps to “beef-up” its security, including installing the cameras.
The two earlier robberies were believed to have been committed by a man. In one case, the robber fled the area on the nearby footbridge over the Black River.
Police have made no arrests in the earlier robberies, the chief said.
Rite Aid robbed again
SPRINGFIELD — For the third time this year, someone has robbed the Rite Aid Pharmacy in Springfield.
The latest robbery happened Tuesday around 10 a.m., said Springfield Police Chief Douglas Johnston. No one was hurt in the armed robbery.
Surveillance footage shows what police believe was a woman, her face covered by a bandanna and a hat covering her head, holding up a store employee at the pharmacy counter in the rear of the store.
Johnston said the robber used a weapon, although he refused to disclose what it was. The photo shows the woman holding a handgun of some kind.
The police chief said he believed that Oxycontin pills were taken in the robbery. The woman handed a note to people, asking for pills.
The pharmacy, which is located in the busy Springfield Shopping Plaza, has been robbed three times this year: March, April and now September, the chief said.
He said the Rite Aid store had taken steps to “beef-up” its security, including installing the cameras.
The two earlier robberies were believed to have been committed by a man. In one case, the robber fled the area on the nearby footbridge over the Black River.
Police have made no arrests in the earlier robberies, the chief said.
Is this the 3rd time in 6 months, should be able to check as the person in entering, at least to physical appearance,with same leaving, or did they come in with the mask, and no one was suspicious !!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, 3rd robbery in 6 months!
ReplyDeleteSpringfield is amazing isn't it? Are they going to start breaking into people's houses next, with drawn guns?
ReplyDeleteMaybe all the lowlifes, the seemingly HUGE preponderance of them in Springfield, should just leave. Go live some where else!
This is a true testimony to the inabilities of the Springfield Police!!! Seems as tho all they can or will do, is pick up speeders.
ReplyDeleteDrugs and gangs. If the local police don't have the man hours to solve these crimes--they should pass them on to an authority who can. Our town is infested with addicts and criminals but if the local PD doesn't acknowledge the level of concern, then we give the power to the criminals. I'm not dissing SPD; however, something needs to be done now! There have been meetings provided by the Springfield Justice Center who invited the community to speak of these problems but the powers to be are minimizing their presence.
ReplyDeleteI just hope it doesn't take someone losing their life over a senseless act.
Time for a new town manager and police chief.
ReplyDeleteHow about if Rite Aid stops being such a target!! For goodness sake, you can't tell me that this woman didn't have this disguise on when she entered the store. Why aren't the employees watching what's happening? Isn't there a monitor in the back so the pharmacy techs can see someone potentially dangerous approaching? Perhaps they should hire security if they can't rely on their employees. I'm not picking on the employees, I'm blaming the corporation. I know they have the cashiers stocking shelves and you sometimes have to wait to be cashed out. Rite Aid better wake up before someone gets hurt. Sheesh!
ReplyDeletelooks to me like she has layers of clothing on, and they say "heavy set"...BS! You can sooo see that she has layers on! They watched her leave, get in a car and flee...WTH. Don't they have pictures of the car, licence plate, etc???? and what about an alarm of some sort? Come on people!! Sounds like we got Barney Fife working on the case!
ReplyDeleteI use to live in Springfield, VT and the crime rate was low.
ReplyDeleteChristine from Christine's Pantry
Perhaps they should invest in a security guard who would stand (or sit) just inside the automatic doors. Sooner or later someone is going to get hurt or killed.
ReplyDeletedon't keep these drugs on premises,customers can wait 24 hours to fill presciptions.
ReplyDeleteOr build a wall around the pharmacy inside the store and make the pharmacy a drive thru only with bullet proof glass if you must.
ReplyDeleteThere's 2 other Pharmacies in town.. why only Rite Aid???
ReplyDeleteBy removing said drugs will not solve the problem. Addicts will find other means to get them. The location of Rite Aid; foot bridge behind, busy parking lot, is an easy way out.
ReplyDeleteRite Aid thought of hiring a security guard, instead put more security inside the store, that is why the photo's of these people are relatively clear. We have three pharmacy's in town but the other two are not a good escape location; unless they want to swim in the Black River.
I think the PD needs to turn this problem over to an agency who can dedicate their time to solve the problem and show criminals that they will get caught. NO TOLERANCE.
My biggest fear and it should be a shared concern of other's is that someone is going to get hurt. We have young people that work there who must be scared of recent criminal activities.
Recently, there were 4 of 6 robberies in town (average 1 robbery every 5/6 weeks). Cars have been robbed inside and out on a regular basis. Homes were broken into (including home invasions), and the list goes on. The PD should announce their plan on dealing with these problems; not blaming the people who forget to lock their doors. These criminals want something, they will take it regardless.
Citizens have expressed their concern including the Springfield Restorative Justice Center to no avail.
It's time for a change.
I so agree. Time for a change before this problem gets any worse. PLEASE come to the next Community Forum to see how you can help
ReplyDeleteHaha what an idiot! Who robs rite aid when everyone knows McD's is the busiest place in Springfield.
ReplyDeleteLocked doors only keep honest people out
ReplyDeleteRite Aid needs to change their ways for one. They need to TRAIN their employees better. Gabbing with friends in the front and not paying attention to who walks in is not acceptable. Put a buzzer-bell on the doors so when a customer walks in, it goes off, hence ALL employees look to see who is walking in or out. Put up a notice like the banks do, No sunglasses, hoodies over the head, etc. Maybe even have a person that just wanders the front area of the store to greet people walking in like Wal-Mart? The police Dept. must have a pretty good idea who these people are that constantly are breaking into places and or robbing stores. Get on the ball and get them instead of waiting for someone to get hurt one of these times.
ReplyDeleteI was in there yesterday and there was a security guard there. The only time I have ever seen one though. I had my hoodie on from the rain and the girl behind the counter said something and I saw him coming up front. Not sure she was thinking I was a robber or not, but it seemed that way. I am far from being a thief, but it was good to know that she was looking out for anything/anyone suspicious. :)
ReplyDeleteMethadone clinic methadone clinic give these people help ur whole town keeps voting against it but it will solve these issues ppl need to vote it in.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the methadone clinic. BAD idea, they have them, the bus goes there every week...NO TO THE CLINIC MAN..then we'll have more that we got in town!!
ReplyDeleteI think that it is time to ask the chief of police and the town manager to resign. Enoughis enough.
ReplyDelete50 bucks says that the town will ask for more money for more officers when town budget comes around because of these crimes. Face the facts. We have an ineffective town police force and ineffective leaders. We have what? 12 police cars and force of how many? for a town of less than 5k. Lets get real! vote these idiots who are leaching our tax money out of power
ReplyDeleteThe failure of SPD to make an arrest for any of the 5 armed robberies, bronze plaque thefts or any other property crime is testament of their ineffectiveness. Springfield cops are incapable of doing anything more demanding then writing traffic tickets. When was the last time anyone heard of cops canvassing a neighborhood for leads? When was the last time you saw police presence in the well know bastions of crime on Pearl and Union Streets. Point being, SPD has a well deserved reputation of being lazy dolts. Demand your Selectmen fire both the town manager and police chief. Springfield deserves better.
ReplyDeleteLock up your Silver! Lock up your Daughters! Lock up your Methadone! They're robbing everything out here!
ReplyDeleteRabble! Rabble Rabble!
Wow that looks like Laura,even to the unibrow.
ReplyDeleteEnjoying the continual plug for the "restorative justice center" - who would like nothing better than to see an arrest so they can help the arrestee pen an apology letter and keep that grant funded position paying full salary.
ReplyDeleteJeez - place gets robbed and people expect a miracle arrest within hours, where the real anger should be placed on the fools who did this robbery, AS WELL as bleeding heart groups just like the restorative justice center that keeps these morons OUT OF JAIL.
AS IF the town manager and police chief are going to resign or get fired - get real. Maybe some of the Sherlock Holmes on here should apply and show everyone how it's done.
Since when has Pearl and Union Streets been a "bastion of crime"? LOL. There are like 10 houses on Pearl Street - and you want a cop walking a beat there? Amazing the level of phenomenally stupid people that post comments on here.
ReplyDeletemust be one of SPD's finest on the last couple of quotes....
ReplyDeleteThere were several witnesses who saw this woman cross the foot bridge. My point being that it has been an exit from the plaza parking lot for many years, making it a challenge to catch up with the suspect. So many people want to "mind their own business" nowadays but what about a good defense?
ReplyDeleteThis whole situation is sad I was in the area when this all went down and I never saw a womon I was visitng the center by the bridge and only saw a man with a dark hoddie running and then a dark maybe blue or green nh plates car taking off out of the side parking lot, they say it was a woman but I believe it was a man and was layering to try and make it confusing to people man be harder to figure out who is doing this but I think its the same people over and over again...and if its a woman look at the legs skinly not fat there was def stuffing going on to aulter his or her looks!
ReplyDeleteare u kidding me. for all of you defending the springfield police dept..have you ever met the officers? one is a drug addict with a drug sniffing dog.figure that one out.one who sits on his fat a** in his car trying to take the chiefs position.a chief who beats his wife .must i go on. defend them if u think u know them. i know them and i thank God every day i am out of that shi**y town. they focus more on the high school kids trying to turn a child into an informant to do their job for them. oh i can go on an on bout those soory a** hypocrits they call police officers. i am not just talking this are the facts. so for all u who defend the police department you may want to have the facts before you run your trap.
ReplyDelete