Drugstore cowboys target of RNC hunt

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary continued its hunt Monday for two gas-throwing thieves who broke into a St. John's pharmacy this weekend, while using gasoline to threaten two clerks.

A man and a woman stole about 1,500 prescription pills and an undisclosed amount of cash from the Brookfield Pharmacy off Topsail Road Saturday night.

Security video recorded at the scene shows the manthrowing gasoline on two clerks shortly after he entered the store.

While he then raced down to the pharmacy, his accomplice awoman jumped on the counter. She held a crowbar in one hand and a lighter in another, and threatened to light the two clerks on fire.

The pair escaped from the pharmacy located also off Burgeo Street, and near the Cowan Heights subdivision just over 90 seconds later.

Const. Suzanne FitzGerald said Monday the threat of fire ranks the robbery with "some of the more violent armed robberies that have taken place, in terms of injuries that have been sustained and the sheer violence that has been exhibited."

FitzGerald said the clerks are coping with the incident.

"I can tell you that they're exceptionally strong women and they're doing the best that they can right now," she told CBC News.

The RNC said it is looking for information about a grey, full-size truck that had been seen in the area at the time of the robbery.

FitzGerald would not say whether a third suspect may have been involved. She said, though, that the force is making progress.

"At this point, we don't want to jeopardize the progress that's been made, but I can confirm for you that we have made substantial advancements in this investigation. The publichas been exceptionally helpful," she said.

Among other things, the RNC is reviewing security video recorded in other locations.