Same man likely robbed 2 drugstores

SOUTH SALT LAKE — Investigators believe two Rite Aid stores robbed within 90 minutes of each other Thursday are connected.

Just before 12:30 p.m. Thursday, two men walked into the Rite Aid at 635 E. 3300 South, pistol-whipped a customer in the head and made him lie down on the floor, said South Salt Lake police detective Gary Keller. They then walked to the pharmacy and took an undisclosed amount of OxyContin.

The customer who was hit suffered a bruise on his head but was in good condition, Keller said.

The same store was robbed of OxyContin on Aug. 23. Six people were later arrested and face federal charges in connection with that incident.

Just before 2 p.m., a lone man walked into the Rite Aid on Fort Union Boulevard near 2400 East. He displayed a handgun and left with more OxyContin, heading to a getaway car outside, said Cottonwood Heights police detective Beau Babka. The clerk told police the gunman had a speech impediment.

Detectives believed the robberies were committed by the same people. Anyone with information can call police at 840-4000.

— Pat Reavy