Suspect in custody after initial escape

Medicap Pharmacy on Shurford Drive in Columbus was robbed Tuesday, Aug. 16 by a man who said he had a gun, according to the Columbus Police Department.

The robbery occurred around 10 a.m. Tuesday when the suspect entered the pharmacy wearing a ski mask and claiming to have a gun in his pocket, according to Columbus Police Chief Chris Beddingfield.

After a search during the morning and afternoon hours, officers captured the suspect. Beddingfield said he escaped in a vehicle, was located and captured on foot. No details on the identity of the suspect were released by press time yesterday. The suspect was in custody at the hospital Tuesday afternoon after allegedly ingesting medication.

The suspect was described as approximately 6 feet tall with brown, curly hair beneath a ski mask, wearing blue jeans and a brown shirt, according to initial reports. The suspect escaped with a “substantial amount of prescription medication,” Beddingfield said. No money was taken and no one was harmed during the robbery. A gun was never shown, according to reports.

Officers swarmed the pharmacy after a panic button was activated and a store employee called 911. The suspect fled toward the credit union, located next door to the pharmacy. Video surveillance was gathered from a nearby business to help officers determine a description of a vehicle used in the escape.

Beddingfield said the successful capture of the suspect is the result of cooperation between law enforcement agencies.

A tracking dog was called in from the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office to assist in the search for the suspect.

The Columbus Police Department was also assisted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Tryon Police Department, the Saluda Police Department and the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office.

Check tomorrow’s Bulletin for details on the suspect’s identity and charges.