Stoney Creek pharmacy robbery makes 13 so far this year

Hamilton police are looking for a suspect in the latest in aseries of pharmacy robberies. A Friday afternoon robberymade 13so far in 2015, nearly double the seven pharmacy robberies in all of last year.

There have now been more pharmacy robberies in just the four months of2015 than in any of the previous four years.

• 7 Hamilton pharmacy robberies so far in 2015, same as all of 2014
• Prescription painkillers fuelling crime in Hamilton

Police say a whiteman around 5-foot-3in his 20swalked into a pharmacy at 311 Fruitland Road and demanded the pharmacist turn over narcotics. Police didn't say how much the suspect stole or in which direction he ran. There were no injuries and police are still investigating.

Illegal use of prescription opioids isthecity's fastest growing drug problemand one that is playing a growing role in thefts and petty crime as addicts seek drugs and money to feed their habits.

The robberies aren't isolated to any one part of town. Hamilton Police published this map showing where the 13 robberies have taken place. One location,712 Mohawk Rd. E., was targeted three times, and last month police were looking for one suspect they believe was behind all three.

Police say anyone with information can contact police at 905.546.2991. To provideinformation anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.8477 or submit yourtips online.