ALTOONA, Pa. (WJAC) — A former Altoona pharmacist is facing several charges after authorities say he stole numerous medications from six different pharmacies, then diluted them with water to cover his tracks.
According to the attorney general's office, 28-year-old Colt Edwards was working as a floating pharmacist for several Martin's/Giant pharmacies throughout central Pennsylvania.
Authorities say they were notified by the grocery chain after management observed Edwards on surveillance video stealing groceries from its E Chestnut Avenue location. The video sparked an internal investigation into Edwards, during which management discovered he had been stealing medications from the store pharmacy, according to a criminal complaint.
The complaint says on several occasions, Edwards was seen on camera deliberately turning away from cameras or going to places where cameras didn't reach in order to conceal his actions.
Authorities say Edwards was later confronted by management and admitted to diverting medications. The complaint says Edwards admitted to pulling liquid medications from bottles and replacing them with distilled water so no one would notice.
He was immediately fired, and the Drug Enforcement Administration was notified, authorities say.
Edwards told authorities the primary medication he took from the pharmacy were hydrocodone polistirex and chlorpheniramine polistirex liquid form, the complaint says. He also admitted to taking zopidem and tramadol tablets from other Martin's/Giant pharmacies along with the liquid drugs, the complaint says.
Authorities say Edwards admitted to stealing the medications beginning in the spring of 2019.
According to the complaint, the following pharmacies where Edwards worked reported the same medications stolen:
- Martin's Pharmacy, Oakland Avenue, Indiana
- Martin's Pharmacy, Glimcher Drive, Duncansville
- Giant Pharmacy, South Atherton Street, State College
- Giant Pharmacy, W Freedom Avenue, Burham
- Martin's Pharmacy, Logan Boulevard, Altoona
- Martin's Pharmacy, E Chestnut Avenue, Altoona
Court documents show Edwards is charged with intentional possession of a controlled substance, refusal to keep records and acquiring or obtaining possession of controlled substances.
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