PORT TOWNSEND — Police are investigating two downtown burglaries: one at the Green Eyeshade and another at Don’s Pharmacy, which lost more than 1,000 pills and medications, some of them heavy narcotics.
Police are investigating if the two are connected, said Sgt. Troy Surber of the Port Townsend Police Department.
Graham Thomas Welch, 25, of Port Townsend was in custody Tuesday at the Jefferson County jail on investigation of second-degree burglary, third-degree theft, third-degree malicious mischief and possession of burglary tools after the Monday night break-in at the Green Eyeshade, 720 Water St.
No bail had been set Tuesday afternoon.
The break-in at Don’s Pharmacy, 1151 Water St., was Friday night.
Police said the medications were stolen after a back door was left unlocked.
Surber said police plan to interview a person of interest in the pharmacy theft.
At the pharmacy, entry was made through the back door, which is not open to the public, after employee confusion resulted in the door being left unlocked, according to business owner Don Hoglund.
The inside pharmacy door was locked. That door was broken into, and the store was “ransacked,” Hoglund said.
The pharmacy, which is located in the rear of a variety store, remained closed Saturday. It is normally closed Sundays only.
Hoglund was able to reorder the needed drugs and was for business Monday, he said.
Hoglund said about 1,000 pills were missing, including several controlled substances.
His family has owned the pharmacy for 50 years. This is the second time it has been burglarized, he said.
As a result of the incident, security in the store will be re-evaluated and improved, he said.
Employees of the Green Eyeshade arrived Tuesday morning to find the front door broken, inventory scattered and several items missing, according to business owner Gail Boulter.
About $100 in cash and a juicer were stolen, and the store’s records were strewn around the store, she said.
Judy Rich, who has worked at the Green Eyeshade for 20 years, said this was the first burglary in the store since she began working there.
Boulter said it was hard not to take the break-in personally.
“This is hurtful,” she said.
“We are in a small town and are all in this together, and it hurts when someone smashes into your store.”
The store was able to open at about 2 p.m. Tuesday, she said.
Anyone with additional information about the location of the suspects or items stolen is asked to call the Port Townsend Police Department at 360-385-3831.
________
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
