A former Innisfail druggist who allegedly stole thousands of narcotics pill while under the employ of the local Shoppers Drug Mart is expected to finally make a court appearance in Red Deer this week.
However, as of today she has still not been formally charged, nor has her identity been released. The 34-year-old woman, a resident of Red Deer, is scheduled to make her first provincial court appearance on April 10.
“We are sending another package to the Crown as they have requested additional information,” said Innisfail RCMP Cpl. Don Morrish. “We received additional information from the complainant so they wanted a full overview of that before they decided on charges.”
Morrish said it is possible official Criminal Code charges won't be laid until court day. “They can wait until the court date and bring in the information on that date before the judge,” he said.
Since the accused was arrested in February RCMP said charges were being “pursued” for fraud and illegal possession of a narcotic.
The accused was a full-time staff pharmacist at the local Shoppers Drug Mart. She is also accused of committing the same crimes at a Red Deer outlet where she was a relief employee. Police believe the crimes were committed over an 18-month period.
Innisfail RCMP said at the time of her arrest the investigation began when company officials came to the detachment following an internal security probe.
RCMP said the crimes allegedly involve the theft of a potent narcotic called Dilaudid. Police added the product losses involve an estimated 14,000 Dilaudid pills, which allegedly involved the tampering and partial removal of capsule contents from stock on the shelf of the pharmacy. RCMP said at the time the value of the stolen Dilaudid was not known.
The investigation began following reports from customers that there was noticeable decreased efficiency from their medication, said RCMP.
Youth charged after gas and dash
An Innisfail youth is facing multiple charges following the theft of fuel from the Penhold Fas Gas.
Innisfail RCMP said in the late evening of March 27 Mounties received
a complaint of the theft of fuel from the Penhold gas station.
The vehicle responsible was located in Innisfail by patrolling officers a short time later and stopped, said nnisfail RCMP Cpl. Don Morrish.
He said three youths were arrested and the RCMP soon the vehicle, a 2011 Ford F350 pickup, was reported stolen to the Lacombe Police Service earlier in the month.
Morrish said a search of the vehicle uncovered stolen licence plates and a quantity of marihuana.
An Innisfail youth, whose name can't be released due to the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was charged possession of stolen property over $5000, two counts of possession of stolen property under $5000, theft of fuel and possession of marihuana.
Morrish said the youth is also charged for possession of stolen property over $5000 in relation to the theft of a Nissan Murano that had been stolen and recovered in Innisfail in February.
Man busted for pick-up theft
A Caroline man has been charged in connection to a stolen pick-up truck outside of Penhold.
Innisfail RCMP Cpl. Don Morrish said sometime during the evening of March 28 a black 2003 GMC Crew Cab pick-up was stolen from an acreage just outside of Penhold.
He said the vehicle had been parked outside the previous evening with a full tank of gas.
This vehicle was located in the City of Red Deer, said Morrish.
in the possession of a 24 year old male from Caroline, Terry Dwight Evans, 24, of Caroline was charged with possession of stolen property over $5000. Morrish said he is also facing other unrelated Criminal Code charges.
Police search for vehicle vandals
A brawl at The Zoo bar led to the vandalism of five vehicles outside and police are seeking the public's assistance in finding the culprits.
Innisfail RCMP Cpl. Don Morrish said on March 28 Mounties received a report of a fight between three patrons of the drinking establishment.
Shortly after the fight it was noted that the windows of five vehicles in the parking lot east of the bar were found to have been smashed out, said Morrish.
He said two of the suspects males left in a black Ford pick-up truck. Innisfail RCMP is requesting the public's assistance in identifying the individuals responsible for causing damage to the windows of the vehicles.
If anyone has information about the vandalism he or she is asked to contact Innisfail RCMP at 403-227-3342 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
She is still going to appear.
“We are sending another package to the Crown as they have requested additional information.
“We received additional information from the complainant so they wanted a full overview of that before they decided on charges
The drug store brought in more stuff and the Crown wanted to see that before they decided what they wanted to do.”
He said it is possible charges won't be liad until court day. “They can wait until the court date and bring in the information on that date before the judge.”
Woman busted in February
An Innisfail druggist will make her first court appearance on April 10 in connection to allegations she manipulated thousands of narcotic pills through an extensive long-term scam that involved stock tampering and creating numerous phony prescriptions from stolen and false identities.
The 34-year-old woman, a resident of Red Deer, has not yet been “formally” charged by RCMP as police are still gathering evidence for the Crown, said Innisfail RCMP Cpl. Don Morrish.
He said the woman has been given information on the charges but they have not yet been sworn.
“She has been issued a promise to appear (in court) but the charges have not been sworn yet just because we are going to consult with the Crown on the gravity of all the charges,” said Morrish, adding the woman's identity will not be released until the charges are formally sworn before the courts.
However, last week RCMP said charges were being “pursued” for fraud and illegal possession of a narcotic.
“We are forwarding to various labs the drugs that we have in possession for testing and a package is now being prepared for the Crown to ensure proper charges are being laid,” said Morrish. “We have interviews that have already been taken. We are gathering additional evidence, including video but when it comes to drugs it is an important part of the evidence. We need to show that they were in fact tampered with and to what level they were tampered with.”
The accused was a full-time staff pharmacist at the local Shoppers Drug Mart. She is also accused of committing the same crimes at a Red Deer outlet where she was a relief employee. Police believe the crimes were committed over an 18-month period.
On Feb. 13 Innisfail RCMP said the investigation began two days earlier when company officials came to the detachment following an internal security probe.
RCMP said the crimes allegedly involve the theft of a potent narcotic called Dilaudid. Police added the product losses involve an estimated 14,000 Dilaudid pills, which allegedly involved the tampering and partial removal of capsule contents from stock on the shelf of the pharmacy. RCMP believe tampered capsules were emptied of between 20 and 50 per cent of their contents before being reassembled and returned to the shelf.
RCMP said it is not known yet the value of the stolen Dilaudid.
The investigation began following reports from customers that there was noticeable decreased efficiency from their medication, said RCMP.
Police said there is no allegation of theft of store funds as it's believed the accused paid for the narcotics with her own money after creating fraudulent prescriptions.
The accused pharmacist's first court appearance on April 10 will be in Red Deer.
