A 27-year-old Ottawa man is facing charges after a Shoppers Drug Mart in Barrhaven was robbed for Oxycontin.
Police say a male suspect entered the drugstore on Strandherd Drive and apparently handed the employee behind the pharmacy counter a threatening note demanding narcotics at about 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday. He fled with on undisclosed amount of drugs.
Police say the suspect was located with the help of witnesses. He was arrested without incident and the stolen narcotics were recovered.
James Walter Goodfallow appeared in court on Thursday. He is charged with robbery and wearing a disguise in connection with the incident.
Oxycontin in Ottawa
Meanwhile, Ottawa police say Oxycontin has always been a problem in Ottawa and robberies involving the drug are common because the tablets are addictive and inexpensive.
"We've charged some people so we've seen it slow down again, but we're always going to have Oxy robberies," said Staff-Sgt. Don Sweet.
"It's a very addictive drug that has a good street value."
He said the drug sells on the street for anywhere between $5 and $40 per tablet, depending on the strength.
Drugstore stabbing
It's the second time in less than one month that the Shoppers Drug Mart on Strandherd Drive is the subject of a police investigation.
In November, Brenda Van Leyen, 47, was stabbed multiple times outside the drugstore by a male suspect. Shoppers Drug Mart employee George Rusu is credited with helping to save Van Leyen, who continues to recover from her injuries.
A manhunt for her ex-boyfriend Claude Legare ended when police found his body in a burned out home he once shared with Van Leyen in Kemptville.
Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact Ottawa police at 613-236-1222, ext. 5116, or Crime Stoppers at 613-233-TIPS.
