Medicine Shoppe in full service following break-in

The Medicine Shoppe, 864 N. Kingshighway, is open and in full service after a significant drug theft early Saturday.

Co-owner Jim Crain said Tuesday the break-in and theft didn't affect the store's customer service. The front glass door, which police say was smashed by the thieves, has already been replaced and the pharmacy can fulfill prescription orders.

Crain said the security system will be completely revamped but didn't want to reveal what changes management had in mind.

There have been several burglaries since the store opened in 1978, Crain said. Video surveillance cameras were added after the most recent break-in and theft two or three years ago, he said.

"This is just part of the business," he said of the burglary Saturday. "You take it in stride and go on."

Cape Girardeau police Sgt. Barry Hovis said "thousands of dollars" worth of controlled drugs were taken at 12:47 a.m. from the pharmacy's cabinet. Two men were caught on the store's surveillance video removing drugs from the pharmacy's narcotics drawer into one of the store's garbage cans before leaving the scene.

A dollar amount of the value of the drugs and what kinds of drugs were stolen had not been released by police or Medicine Shoppe owners as of Tuesday.

The suspects wore black gloves. One man was wearing a gold and black cap, a black jacket, dark-colored jeans and white shoes and was carrying a crowbar. The other man wore a gray hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, white shoes and carried a tan tote bucket.

Another surveillance camera recorded the men driving away in a 2000 to 2004 model light to medium colored Chevrolet Malibu.

Police had no new leads Tuesday, Cpl. Jason Selzer said.

Police are asking anyone with information to call 335-6621.

carel@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127