Opiates stolen in Burlington drug store robbery

A masked man claiming to have a weapon stole an undisclosed amount of opiates from the Lakeside Pharmacy at Pearl and North Union streets on Friday, Burlington police said.

No injuries were reported during the 4:45 p.m. robbery, Lt. Jason Lawson said.

The robber was a white man, 5 feet, 11 inches tall, heavy build, wearing dark shorts and a dark hooded sweatshirt. He covered his face with a surgical mask, glasses and goggles.

Lawson said the robber entered the store and went to the pharmacy counter. He said he had a weapon, but none was displayed, Lawson said. The robber demanded opiates.

The staff surrendered the drugs to the bandit, who fled on Pearl Street and into the neighborhood. Officers, who got a call about the robbery in progress, responded quickly.

A police tracking dog “developed some avenues of investigation, but did not locate the individual,” Lawson said in a written statement.

The store staff is conducting an inventory to try to determine the type and quantity stolen, police said.

Anybody with information on the robbery or bandit is asked to call Burlington police at 658-2705.