MERIDEN — Police are asking for the public’s help after about 3,000 prescription pills worth $60,000 were stolen during a robbery at the Walgreens pharmacy on East Main Street last week.

Four men entered Walgreens, 825 E. Main St. around 3:45 p.m. on May 21, according to police. Two men jumped behind the pharmacy counter and demanded pills. Police spokesman Sgt. Christopher Fry said a pharmacist was held against a wall by the throat in the incident.

No weapons were displayed. Fry said the men stole about 3,000 Oxycontin, Oxycodone and morphine pills, worth about $60,000.

“These pills could pretty much fit in your pocket,” Fry said. “Walk around with them, sell them for a pretty high dollar amount.”

David Kroll, a Walgreens photo specialist, was working in the back of the store at the time of the incident and learned about the robbery from an announcement on the store intercom.

“We came out and saw the people had just run out of the store when we looked through the cameras,” said Kroll. “That’s when the police showed up.”

He said robberies have occurred twice in his five years working at the store.

“To have people jump the counter and be there, right in your face, I can’t imagine,” said Kroll. “I know a lot of people in the pharmacy were really shaken up.”

David Greiner, 77, said he gets his prescriptions from the pharmacy. He believed the men were “desperate” and said the robbery was disturbing.

Fry said it appeared the men did not steal the pills for personal use. Authorities also believed the pills were in a locked area.

“Whatever motivation they have, is clearly a last-ditch effort,” Fry said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Michael Fonda at 203-630-4178.