Police: Woman assaulted, dragged during armed robbery

Police are searching for three suspects who assaulted and dragged a woman during an armed robbery at a pharmacy in Gwinnett County earlier this month.

On Dec. 7, at around 2 p.m., three suspects went into the VN Pharmacy on Jimmy Carter Boulevard in unincorporated Norcross, all wearing masks and gloves. Police said two suspects jumped the counter and one kicked in the employee access door.

According to police, a female employee behind the counter at the pharmacy was grabbed and dragged to the back room. After a short time, the suspects then dragged her back to the front and forced her to open a safe behind the counter.

"One of the suspects held a gun to her head and also held a gun to her side nearly the entire time," said Gwinnett Police Corporal Michele Pihera.  

The suspects stole a large number of prescription medications, as well as the pharmacy's cash drawer and the woman's purse before leaving in a black newer model Ford Taurus. Police said the license plate on the car came back as invalid.

Customers who frequent the shopping center were concerned to hear about the crime, especially because an armed robber targeted an insurance company in the same building just a few months ago.  

"Just to know that the pharmacy next door was robbed, well, you know, how safe am I?" wondered Tabitha Brookings, who gets her hair done at a salon in the strip mall once a month. "This area's not safe and it would just be nice just to have some type of security guard just to patrol the area."

"You can tell in the surveillance video that these are three violent offenders and it's only a matter of time before they become more and more violent towards these victims," said Cpl. Pihera. "So, we need to get them identified as quickly as possible."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Gwinnett County Police Department at 770-513-5300. Crime Stoppers Atlanta is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for any information leading to an arrest. To remain anonymous, tipsters can call 404-577-8477.

RELATED: Police: Suspect wanted in multiple robberies in Norcross