Crime & Safety

Car Chase Leads to Arrest of Pharmacy Robbery Suspect

A suspect wanted in connection with a series of armed robberies at Pinellas and Pasco county pharmacies was arrested after a short car chase through Clearwater Thursday afternoon.

A suspect wanted in connection with a series of armed robberies at Pinellas and Pasco county pharmacies was arrested after a short car chase in Clearwater Thursday afternoon.

Joseph Thomas Young, 37, was seen by Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies driving a silver sedan in Safety Harbor at around 3 p.m. As deputies followed him, he sped off, according to investigators. 

Deputies went in pursuit of Young. The chase ended a short time later when Young crashed the stolen car off U.S. 19, south of Enterprise Road, according to investigators. Young tried to flee on foot but was quickly found.

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A BB gun was found inside the vehicle along with numerous narcotic pills that Young admitted to stealing from area pharmacies, according to police.

Clearwater Police, Pinellas County Sheriff's Deputies, Pinellas Park Police and Pasco County Sheriff's Deputies were looking for Young for at least a week because of his alleged involvement in armed robberies at pharmacies, according to investigators.

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In one of the robberies, investigators say a man rushed behind the swinging door of a Clearwater CVS pharmacy, chased out the pharmacist, then took off with an undisclosed amount of medication Dec. 9.

Young was arrested and charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding, grand theft auto, two counts of armed robbery, possession of a controlled substance, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, battery, leaving the scene of a crash, and driving while license is suspended or revoked. An armed robbery arrest warrant had also been issued in Young's name. 


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