Robbery of Delivery Driver in Bensalem
A delivery driver was held at gunpoint and robbed of $16,000 in front of a pharmacy in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, early Thursday morning. According to local police, three suspects drove from New York specifically to execute the robbery, stealing two boxes filled with Ozempic, Munjaro, and Trulicity medications.
After attacking the delivery worker near Smart Choice Pharmacy, the suspects escaped in a gold Toyota, nearly colliding with a bystander attempting to record the scene. A police officer on patrol received a 911 call reporting the incident and spotted the vehicle shortly after, as reported by law enforcement officials.
Bensalem Police have arrested Joshua Dupree, 41, from Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, Janoy Dawkins, 21, from Albany, New York, and a 17-year-old from New York City. The police indicated that the victim identified the trio, who had traveled together to commit the crime.
A press release from Bensalem Police noted that the pharmacy had received suspicious inquiries regarding delivery details in the days leading up to the robbery. The suspects now face multiple charges, including robbery, theft, and simple assault.
Dupree and Dawkins were arraigned by District Magistrate Michael Gallagher, with bail set at $150,000 for Dupree and $250,000 for Dawkins. Both remain in custody at the Bucks County Correctional Facility, while the juvenile suspect is at the Bucks County Juvenile Detention Center.
The theft of medications like Ozempic and Trulicity is increasingly common as more Americans begin to use these types of drugs. A recent study indicated that around 6% of the U.S. population is utilizing these medications for diabetes management and weight loss.
Additionally, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued warnings to consumers regarding potential scams, such as fake messages and fraudulent online pharmacy advertisements promoting non-existent GLP-1 type drugs. They pointed out that the rising demand for these popular medications has led to a corresponding surge in scam activities.
