LIVERMORE FALLS – Police are investigating a burglary at Rite Aid in which more than 5,000 pain-reliever tablets were reported stolen early last week. The drugs had an estimated street value of $178,000. The retail value was about $14,000.
Livermore Falls police Officer Maurice Drouin and Jay police Officer Dean Couture responded to an alarm at the store about 3:30 a.m. Aug. 31.
They were on the scene within 3 to 4 minutes after the alarm sounded, Steward said, and no one was there.
The door to the store and to the pharmacy had been forced open.
Livermore Falls Police Chief Ernest Steward Jr. and Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Supervisor Gerry Baril both said they were concerned about the prescription narcotics being out on the street. The incident was initially listed as a business alarm on the police log, not a burglary, and no press release was issued.
Officials declined to identify the specific drugs taken.
The narcotics are pain relievers that have a high potential for abuse and a high street value, Baril said.
Baril calculated the street value at a rate of $1 per milligram.
There is a high demand for the drugs, Baril said. When used illegally, there is a potential for accidental overdose deaths, he said.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Livermore Falls police at 897-3424.
Steward said he is concerned not only about overdose deaths but also about the potential for the drugs to fall into children’s hands.
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