Alarm startles pharmacy burglar

A man who broke into a pharmacy to steal medications was startled by the alarm and fled empty-handed.

The Unichem Springlands Pharmacy was broken into in the early hours of Sunday, and the burglar was captured on CCTV.

The video shows the man forcing his way through an external door, rifling through a cupboard filled with prescription medications, and loading up a rubbish bin with boxes and bottles.

But the alarm went off and the man dropped the rubbish bin in fright, and ran out of the store.

Blenheim community constable Russ Smith said police were notified the alarm had gone off, and investigated the scene.

‘‘The place had been broken into but nothing appeared to have been stolen,’’ he said.

Police hoped someone would recognise the man in the photograph, Smith said.

‘‘He’s a male Caucasian with a slim build, possibly in his late teens or early 20s, and he is wearing an Adidas T-shirt with a large logo on the front, light-coloured pants and Adidas shoes,’’ Smith said.

‘‘Someone will know that face.’’

It was too early to speculate about the burglar’s motivations, but his attempt to wrap clothing around his head suggested he expected there would be a CCTV camera, Smith said.

‘‘He must have known there was a high amount of risk involved . . . but the burglar has not thought the process through very well.’’

Anyone with information could contact the Blenheim police on 03 578 5279 or call anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.