Robbery Suspect Sought In Hammer Attack

Monday, May 14th 2007, 9:23 pm

By: News On 6

Chelsea Police are investigating a shocking attack at a Rogers County pharmacy. Two people, a pharmacist and an employee were injured Monday night after being attacked by a man who demanded drugs. The victims were beaten with a hammer; the encouraging news is they survived. News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports many people living in Chelsea are shocked.

Police say it was just before closing time when a man with a gun came into the Chelsea Family Pharmacy and demanded pain pills, including hydrocodone, which is very addictive. A pharmacist and an employee inside complied with the demands, but were forced to lie on the floor.

â€œThey did everything he said. He could have taken the drugs and went out, but he took it one step further,â€ said Chelsea Police Chief Kenny Kelsey.

Chelsea Police Chief Kenny Kelsey says that's when the man hit the victim with a hammer.

The pharmacist, Chad Jones, is okay, alert and talking. The 19-year-old employee has more serious injuries, possibly a skull fracture, but is also alert and will survive.

Carla Bynum is one of the pharmacists who works at the pharmacy.

â€œWell it scared me at first, and I pray for them that they'll be alright,â€ she said.

Like Bynum, people living in the community are shocked.

â€œSmall town community here in Chelsea and we don't have a lot of crime,â€ said Chelsea Mayor Norman Wooten. â€œThis is kinda surprising to everyone in the community that something like this could happen here.â€

â€œIt puts a scare in everyone around here, I mean you never know where they're gonna be. They could hurt anybody,â€ said Mendy Haner, Chelsea native.

Police say the man had been told to leave the pharmacy about a month ago, and was told not to come back.

â€œThis is kinda shocking, I mean he just got out of jail two weeks ago, and he has a history with this medication. He knew what he wanted, and that's what he went after,â€ Kelsey said.

Chelsea Police are looking for 31-year-old Steven Pierce of Claremore. Police say he has previous arrests for embezzlement. Itâ€™s believed he left the pharmacy in a silver late 90's model Honda Civic, or possibly a white Dodge Neon. Anyone who sees Pierce, or has information that could help in the investigation is asked to call the Chelsea Police Department at 918-789-2123, or the Rogers County Sheriffâ€™s Office at 918-342-9700

Watch the video: Brutal Attack At A Small Town Pharmacy