STARKVILLE – BJ’s Family Pharmacy was robbed in a “smash and grab” early Monday morning, according to pharmacy owner BJ Cougle.
Starkville Police Department responded to the burglary at about 5:45 a.m. Suspects smashed in the glass of the front door to enter, Cougle told The Dispatch. No one was in the building at the time of the burglary.
The burglary appeared similar to recent regional pharmacy burglaries, according to an SPD press release. Cougle said he was notified by the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy about two weeks ago to be “hypervigilant” after pharmacies in Eupora, Laurel and Meridian were broken into since November.
The pharmacy, on South Jackson Street, was up and running later that morning with plans to increase security measures. Cougle said this was the third time the pharmacy had experienced a break-in in the past five years.
“It’s part of life, unfortunately,” Cougle said. “We’re going to have to change a few things. … But we’re very fortunate. Business as usual. Everybody is great. Nobody was frightened. … You can see in the time they come, and the fact that they were in and out so fast that they’re not here to hurt anybody or do anything. … So, people aren’t scared. We’re super fortunate.”
The investigation is ongoing, the SPD press release said. Anyone with information pertaining to the robbery is asked to contact the police department at (662) 323-4131 or Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at (800) 530-7151.
Sgt. Brandon Lovelady, public information officer for SPD, did not respond to calls or texts from The Dispatch by press time.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
