Authorities are on the hunt for multiple suspects following a brazen burglary at a Pico Rivera pharmacy, which resulted in the theft of a significant amount of narcotics early Tuesday morning. According to KTLA, the incident occurred just after 2:20 a.m. on Whittier Boulevard. Surveillance footage shows the culprits cutting through the roll-up door and forcefully entering the store before absconding with the drugs and money.
The family-run business has been serving the community for 15 years, and its owner, voicing his frustration, stated, "We’ve already gotten a quote for the roll-up door for eight to nine thousand dollars, and since it’s an emergency, they are going to charge us a rush fee," per an off-camera interview with KTLA’s Jennifer McGraw. MyNewsLA added that a portable power saw was used to breach a metal door, causing approximately $8,000 in damage.
Further details provided by the CBS Los Angeles report reveal that the owner claims losses of about $30,000 in narcotics, including oxycodone. CCTV footage documented masked men executing the break-in and escaping with the stolen goods, which included a major haul of controlled substances.
This was not the first occurrence of such a crime at this location; the repeated break-ins have placed a heavy financial burden on the owner. "I don’t think these people understand that, by them breaking in, we suffer too," he lamented to KTLA, expressing his distress over the situation. The store's relationship with the local neighborhood is long-established, and the option to relocate is deemed unfavorable because it will necessitate rebuilding the customer base that the business has cultivated over many years. In a statement obtained by KTLA, the pharmacy owner shared that what troubles him most aren't the stolen items, but the recurring cost of repairs.
The local community has been urged to come together to address this pattern of burglaries affecting numerous area businesses. An increase in police patrols may also be a necessary step towards preventing future incidents. The store owner emphasized in his conversation with KTLA the hardships being endured by local businesses, and he expressed a growing frustration with the unresolved break-ins, including the first one, which occurred earlier in the year. Law enforcement agencies have been called upon by business owners to step up their efforts to curtail the ongoing challenge of commercial burglaries.
