Southern California Pharmacies Continue to be Targets for Break Ins

Southern California is experiencing a rash of pharmacy break-ins. Thieves are stealing pharmaceuticals, but they’re also helping themselves to other items.

More and more pharmacies are the target of the crime and a Newport Beach pharmacy is the newest victim. The rash of crimes have kept police in the upscale coastal community on their toes.

Thousands of dollars of damage are being done to pharmacies with relatively little being taken. A break-in at a Newport Beach pharmacy netted criminals:

“Only three bottles of cough syrup with Codeine were taken. The total value of those items is less than a hundred dollars.”

Jennifer Manzella with Newport Beach Police says other items at pharmacies are also targeted.

“Where the burglars come in an they either take the entire ATM Machine or they take cash.”

Just a few weeks ago five pharmacies were breached and cough syrup was stolen. The syrup is mixed with soda or wine for an inexpensive but potent party drink. These break-ins are related to break-ins going on all over Southern California, including several Orange Country and Burbank areas.

Burbank PD has released surveillance footage as well as still images. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477)

Tom Perumean, KABC NEWS.