Armed pharmacist stops robbery in progress

Police say a 35-year-old Salt Lake man didn't really have a gun when he walked into a pharmacy and handed an employee a note demanding painkillers. But a pharmacy co-worker did.

According to charges filed against the man Friday in 3rd District Court, surveillance video at the Millcreek Pharmacy, 1260 E. Vine St., showed the man pulling his hoodie over his head and putting on a pair of cotton gloves before entering the pharmacy last Monday.

A pharmacy worker told police the man handed her a note stating "This is a robbery. Give me 2 bottles of Oxycontin ... Do NOT make a scene and no one will get hurt. I have a gun."

When another pharmacy co-worker showed his gun, and the suspect attempted to flee. The suspect, however, "deferred to suggestions" made by a passer-by armed with a golf club to wait for police, according to the charging documents.

A search by police revealed the suspect was armed with a hunting knife. He has been charged with first-degree aggravated robbery and a misdemeanor count of carrying a concealed weapon.

As of Friday, he remained in the Salt Lake County Jail on $50,000 bail.