Raia Co-Sponsors Bill to Increase Penalties for Pharmacy Crimes

Assemblyman Andrew Raia (R,I,C-East Northport) is co-sponsoring legislation that will increase criminal penalties for trespassing and burglary at pharmacies in New York State. The legislation was drafted after recent tragedies on Long Island and around the New York metro area.

“Prescription drug addiction is one of the main factors contributing to the rise in break-ins and burglaries at pharmacies.,” said Raia. “In 2011 there was a pharmacy robbery and in the crossfire two employees and two customers in the pharmacy were killed. During a criminal’s recent attempt to rob a Long Island pharmacy, a law enforcement official who was trying to intervene was tragically killed. We need to protect our community and the ones who put their lives on the line every day to defend us.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has reported an increase from 380 to 686 pharmacy robberies between 2006 and 2010, an increase of 79 percent.

“Increasing the penalties for criminal trespass and burglary at pharmacies will give leverage to prosecutors in court and also deter future attempts to burglarize pharmacies in New York,” said Raia.