Two men suspected in a string of armed robberies at Philadelphia pharmacies were arrested Monday night after swiping a bottle of pills embedded with a tracking device.
Police say the men robbed the Rite Aid pharmacy on Roosevelt Boulevard near Solly Avenue in the Rhawnhurst section of the city around 9:30 p.m.
A masked gunman walked into the Rite-Aid demanding pills, according to investigators. They say the pharmacist handed over some bottles and the thief took off, jumping into a getaway car waiting outside.
But the unsuspecting pill snatchers were outsmarted by technology, one of the pill bottles contained a GPS device inside.
“What they didn’t know is that there was a GPS tracking device hidden in one of the narcotic pill containers,” said Chief Inspector Scott Small.
It was so accurate, police were able to follow the suspects to their exact location. They were arrested in front of a home on Torresdale Avenue.
Authorities say the men had two guns, a mask and pills on them. Police believe they may be connected to at least 15 other pharmacy robberies.
