Man sought in robbery attempt

Helena police are looking for a man who threatened a pharmacist at Osco Drug Friday afternoon.

According to Helena Police Chief Troy McGee, the man entered the business located on the 600 block of N. Montana Avenue just after 4 p.m., walked back to the pharmacy area and demanded prescription medication from the employee.

The man — who was complaining of having a stomach ache — told the pharmacist he had a gun, although none of the employees at the store saw a weapon.

When the pharmacist refused to hand over any medication, the man left the business without incident, McGee said.

According to McGee, investigators believe the would-be robber at Osco made a stop at the Safeway pharmacy just prior to arriving at Osco Drug.

In that case, the suspect complained of having an upset stomach — just as he did at Osco — and demanded prescription drugs. But he didn't make any threats toward the clerk.

Again, when the pharmacist refused to comply with his demand, he left the store without incident.

Witnesses describe the man as being 5-feet, 8-inches tall, about 150 pounds, in his early to mid-30s, with dark brown hair, long in the back.

He was wearing a black baseball cap, a brown, waist-length zipper-front jacket, jeans and sunglasses.

McGee encourages anyone with any information about the incidents to call Crimestoppers at 443-2000 or Det. Buck Herron at 447-8489.