VALDOSTA — A Valdosta woman was arrested Monday morning after robbing a Rite Aid store at knifepoint.
Valdosta Police Department Lt. Bobbi McGraw said that 37-year-old Kari Eutzler has been charged with armed robbery and possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony.
At approximately 9:45 a.m., Eutzler allegedly entered the Rite Aid in the 3200 block of North Oak Street Extension, displayed a knife when she got to the pharmacy area of the store and forcefully took medication, McGraw said. After threatening employees with the knife, the suspect exited the store with the medication.
No injuries were reported.
Valdosta Police Department officers were dispatched to the store shortly after the robbery was reported. Employees gave police a description of the offender and the direction in which she fled.
Valdosta Police Officer Carl Dudley, who was in the area, located and apprehended Eutzler within minutes. The knife used in the robbery, as well as the medication taken from the pharmacy, were recovered from Eutzler’s possession, McGraw said.
A few hours after Eutzler’s arrest, she was transported to South Georgia Medical Center for observation after she claimed to have ingested several OxyContin pills. McGraw said that it does appear that the suspect ingested some pills, but authorities are not sure how many.
Eutzler was being treated in the emergency room at press time.
Her condition was not known.
OxyContin is a prescription painkiller used for moderate to high pain relief associated with injuries, bursitis, dislocations, fractures, neuralgia, arthritis, lower back pain, and pain associated with cancer, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. OxyContin contains oxycodone, the medication's active ingredient, in a timed-release tablet. Oxycodone products have been illicitly abused for the past 30 years.
The introduction in 1996 of OxyContin — commonly known on the street as OC, OX, Oxy, Oxycotton, Hillbilly heroin, and kicker — led to a marked escalation of its abuse as reported by drug abuse treatment centers, law enforcement personnel, and health care professionals, according to the DEA. As with most opiates, oxycodone abuse may lead to dependence and tolerance. Acute overdose of oxycodone can produce severe respiratory depression, skeletal muscle flaccidity, cold and clammy skin, reduction in blood pressure and heart rate, coma, respiratory arrest, and death.
• Trafficking Trends
Pharmaceuticals such as OxyContin can be diverted in many ways. The most popular form is known as "doctor shopping," where individuals, who may or may not have legitimate illnesses requiring a doctor's prescription for controlled substances, visit many doctors to acquire large amounts of controlled substances. Other diversion methods include pharmacy diversion and improper prescribing practices by physicians.
Source: National Drug Intelligence Center.
Local News
Related Photos
-
The Valdosta Police Department was dispatched to an armed robbery that had just occurred at a Rite Aid on North Oak Street Extension at around 9:45 a.m. A woman reportedly displayed a knife when she got to the pharmacy area of the business and forcefully took medication.
-
Valdosta Police Department officers apprehended Kari Eutzler on Jennifer Circle, blocks away from the Rite Aid pharmacy that was robbed on Monday morning. She is charged with armed robbery and possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony.
-
Kari Euztler
Discussion
Rite Aid robbed
Woman armed with knife charged with taking medication
- Local News
-
-
Lake Park: Council members resign
Immediately following the Citizens to be Heard portion of the regular Lake Park council meeting Tuesday night, council members Eric Schindler and Paul Mulkey tendered their resignations.
-
Valwood goes global
Valwood School has hosted several international guests for the past several weeks.
-
City cuts ribbon on new home
With a snip of some over-sized wooden scissors, the City of Valdosta took another step in eliminating substandard housing.
-
Berrien clinic director loses job
Speaking to The Valdosta Daily Times about the possible discontinuation of the Berrien Elementary School MED Clinic led to the program’s executive director losing her job Monday morning.
-
From the CIA to man about town
Meet Jack Pruden, former member of the Central Intelligence Agency.
-
Berrien school medical facility faces an uncertain future
A state-of-the-art medical facility that was introduced in Berrien County public schools in 2010 might be ending soon.
-
New TV listings section debuts in print edition
In Sunday editions of The Valdosta Daily Times, keep an eye out for the updated TV listings section.
-
Man shot in Valdosta; police car, ambulance collide
Response to a shooting Saturday afternoon led to a collision between a police vehicle and an ambulance.
-
Annual Father-Daughter Dance enters 16th year
Three-week-old Emmaline Taylor lay contentedly on dad Trey Taylor’s shoulder Friday night, completely oblivious to the sights and sounds of the Father-Daughter Valentine Dance.
Now in its 16th year, the popular annual event is sponsored by Valdosta’s First Presbyterian Church and held at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center.
“We’ve been looking forward to this,” Trey Taylor said. “When we first got pregnant, (my wife Sheya and I) looked to see if she would be here in time for the Father-Daughter Dance.” -
VPD offers online citation payment
The Valdosta Police Department has implemented a new online service to assist traffic violators.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
