PUYALLUP PHARMACY ROBBER SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT
Oxycodone Addict Hit Multiple Area Pharmacies
ARSENIO S. LOPEZ, 23, of Sumner, Washington, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 30 months in prison, three years supervised release, and ordered to pay $17,126.62 restitution, following his conviction of multiple counts of Pharmacy Robbery.
According to records filed in the case, on Wednesday, January 30, 2008, at 8:30 p.m, LOPEZ entered the Rite-Aid Pharmacy at 21302 SR 410, Bonney Lake, Washington, wearing a hooded jacket and ski mask. He approached the pharmacy counter and demanded the pharmacy’s supply of oxycodone. LOPEZ ordered the pharmacy technician to the ground while the pharmacist gathered the drugs. LOPEZ then ordered the pharmacist to the ground and left the pharmacy carrying several bottles of oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance.
One week later, on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, at approximately 8:30 p.m, LOPEZ entered the Rite-Aid Pharmacy at 1323 E. Main Avenue, Puyallup, Washington, wearing similar clothing. This time, LOPEZ handed a written note to the pharmacist which read: “Do exactly what this says and no one gets HURT! Take this bag and fill it with all the oxycontin and oxycodone you have. This includes 80 mg, 40 mg, 20 mg, 10 mg, 30 mg, 15 mg tablets. And don’t do anything dumb that could endanger you or your coworkers.” LOPEZ ordered the pharmacy technician and pharmacist to the ground during the robbery. LOPEZ left the pharmacy carrying several bottles of oxycodone.
In addition to pleading guilty to the above robberies, LOPEZ admitted committing a similar robbery on January 24, 2008 of a Rite-Aid Pharmacy, located at 26200 Pacific Highway South, in Kent, Washington.
LOPEZ agreed to pay restitution to all three pharmacies for the value of the drugs taken.
This case is part of a continuing Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation focused upon the unlawful diversion of pharmaceutical controlled substances. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Puyallup Police Department, Bonney Lake Police Department, and Kent Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald J. Friedman.
For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206) 553-4110.
