Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist charged Jared Gloster, 31, with two counts of Robbery in the Second Degree for stealing Oxycodone from two South Hill pharmacies. Crime Stoppers of Tacoma/Pierce County featured the defendant on its website and flyers.

“Oxycodone addiction is a growing problem,” said Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. “We’ve been seeing people go berserk in pursuit of the drug.”

On November  15, 2013, the defendant entered the Rite Aid at 128th Street and Meridian. He walked to the pharmacy counter and handed the employee a note stating, “I have a gun! Give me all the oxy 30 & 15 mg pills fast OR Im gonna start shooting people.” The pharmacist gave the defendant several bottles of oxycodone pills. The defendant left the store.

On Jan. 6, the defendant entered another South Hill Rite Aid on 176th Street. He handed the pharmacy tech a note that stated, “I have a gun! You have 50 seconds to give me all the 30 mg/ 15 mg oxycodone pills before I start shooting people!” The pharmacist handed the defendant multiple bottles of the drug. Employees shouted to the store manager and he was able to grab the defendant as he tried to flee. The defendant was held by the manager until Pierce County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived and placed him under arrest.

The defendant admitted to both South Hill robberies, as well as a similar robbery in Federal Way. He told deputies he started taking oxycodone to stay awake during long hours working at a warehouse, but is now addicted.

The defendant was arraigned this afternoon at the County-City Building in Tacoma. He pleaded not guilty and bail was set at $300,000. Charges are only allegations and a person is presumed innocent unless he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.