Woman nabbed after pharmacy robbery

By Lilly O’Gorman
A WOMAN held up a Pakenham pharmacy this morning (Thursday), unarmed and alone.
Police said that about 11.20am, a woman in her thirties entered Cardinia Pharmore Pharmacy in Main Street and demanded cash.
Pharmacy retail manager Ashlea Morrell said the woman approached the register after waiting in line behind other customers.
She told the sales assistant to open the register and when the assistant asked why, the woman replied “you’re being robbed”.
“She had her hand in pocket and kept moving it, so my sales assistant thought she might’ve had (a weapon) in her hand,” Ms Morrell said.
“Because she had her hand in her pocket, it looked quite suspicious.”
The sales assistant handed over cash, and Pharmore employees hit security alarms and called the police. The woman fled from the scene.
The sales assistant was sent home for the day and offered counselling by police.
“She was quite shaken up,” Ms Morrell said.
“She couldn’t believe it happened, I think it hasn’t quite hit her.”
Pakenham police Acting Sergeant Anthony Templar said five police units attended the incident.
A woman fitting witnesses’ descriptions was arrested half an hour later at Pakenham Railway Station.
Act Sgt Templar said the woman was aged in her thirties and acted alone.
The store was re-opened and trading as normal at 1.45pm.