A man is in custody after a robbery at CVS on Friday.
According to the Pottsville Police, On Friday April 21, 2017 around 12:40pm, all city police officers on duty responded to a reported robbery in progress at the CVS Pharmacy, 28 N Claude A Lord Blvd.
According to the Pottsville Police, On Friday April 21, 2017 around 12:40pm, all city police officers on duty responded to a reported robbery in progress at the CVS Pharmacy, 28 N Claude A Lord Blvd.
Additional information received indicated that a white male wearing shorts, and a black hoodie with yellow writing on it, was inside the store with a knife. As officers began responding, the actor fled the store on foot.
Patrolman Joseph Murton was responding to the location in the 300 block of East Norwegian Street when he observed a male matching the given description walking east on the north side of Norwegian Street. After being ordered to get on the ground, the suspect began to flee south but was apprehended almost immediately by responding officers. As he fled the actor threw a folding knife and several bottles of prescription controlled substances in various direction.
Subsequent investigation showed the actor to be Charles Edward Wernert II 37, of Schuylkill Haven. During a search incident to arrest Wernert was found to be in possession of several bottles containing OxyContin and Alprazolam in addition to the medicines previously discarded.
It was learned that Wernert had entered the CVS Store and proceeded to the rear of the store where the pharmacy is located. Wernert then walked behind the pharmacy counter where the female pharmacist and five (5) others employees were located. Wernert then demanded he be given "Oxy (OxyContin) and Xani (Xanax) bars" and produced a green folding utility knife in a threatening manner. Wernert then further demanded that the pharmacist open a safe and stood by with the knife next to the pharmacist’s face while she proceeded to open the safe. Wernert then made the pharmacist turn over several bottles of pills and as she handed him the bottles, he opened one and immediately swallowed several. Wernert then threatened all the employees present in the area that he would "hurt them" if they activated any alarms. He then fled on foot out the front of the store.
An inventory taken by pharmacy staff revealed that more than $7,500.00 in controlled substances had been stolen by Wernert during the incident and recovered by police.
A criminal complaint was prepared by Murton charging Wernert with Robbery, Terroristic Threats, Possessing Instrument of Crime, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Theft, Receiving Stolen Property, Simple Assault, and Possession of a controlled substance.
After being transported to a local medical facility by Pottsville Police officers for evaluation, Wernert was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Reiley who set bail at $50,000 cash and Wernert was remanded to the Schuylkill County Prison.
Patrolman Joseph Murton was responding to the location in the 300 block of East Norwegian Street when he observed a male matching the given description walking east on the north side of Norwegian Street. After being ordered to get on the ground, the suspect began to flee south but was apprehended almost immediately by responding officers. As he fled the actor threw a folding knife and several bottles of prescription controlled substances in various direction.
Subsequent investigation showed the actor to be Charles Edward Wernert II 37, of Schuylkill Haven. During a search incident to arrest Wernert was found to be in possession of several bottles containing OxyContin and Alprazolam in addition to the medicines previously discarded.
It was learned that Wernert had entered the CVS Store and proceeded to the rear of the store where the pharmacy is located. Wernert then walked behind the pharmacy counter where the female pharmacist and five (5) others employees were located. Wernert then demanded he be given "Oxy (OxyContin) and Xani (Xanax) bars" and produced a green folding utility knife in a threatening manner. Wernert then further demanded that the pharmacist open a safe and stood by with the knife next to the pharmacist’s face while she proceeded to open the safe. Wernert then made the pharmacist turn over several bottles of pills and as she handed him the bottles, he opened one and immediately swallowed several. Wernert then threatened all the employees present in the area that he would "hurt them" if they activated any alarms. He then fled on foot out the front of the store.
An inventory taken by pharmacy staff revealed that more than $7,500.00 in controlled substances had been stolen by Wernert during the incident and recovered by police.
A criminal complaint was prepared by Murton charging Wernert with Robbery, Terroristic Threats, Possessing Instrument of Crime, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Theft, Receiving Stolen Property, Simple Assault, and Possession of a controlled substance.
After being transported to a local medical facility by Pottsville Police officers for evaluation, Wernert was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Reiley who set bail at $50,000 cash and Wernert was remanded to the Schuylkill County Prison.