Newton Police search for knife-wielding suspect

NEWTON, Mass. (WHDH) -- Investigators said a thief stormed into a Newton pharmacy showing a knife and demanded medication.

The robbery happened at a Walgreens on Washington Street Monday night.

Surveillance video shows the suspect, who had jumped the counter, and threatening two employees with a knife. Video shows the suspect forcing the pharmacist to take him to the narcotics cabinet.

The suspect, at least 6-feet tall and heavyset, was wearing a New England Patriots sweatshirt and carried a bag.

A different camera captures the suspect stealing pills and sweeping bottle after bottle into his bag.

“Any time you have an incident like this where a knife is involved, any sort of weapon, they’re demanding drugs, they’re demanding money -- it can turn deadly very quick,” said Lt. Bruce Apotheker of the Newton Police Department.

As the man, perhaps in his 40s, stole the drugs an employee noticed the commotion and announced over the PA system there was a robbery in progress and people should call 911.

“As that employee made his way towards the back the suspect actually confronted him in the aisle where he punched and he kicked the employee,” said Apotheker.

The suspect fled the store. The employee was treated at a local hospital.