Police Arrest Suspect In Drugstore Robbery
KITTANNING (KDKA) – A woman was arrested after an attempted robbery at a Rite Aid in Armstrong County Monday morning.
According to police, 47-year-old Christine Boylstein attempted to rob the Rite Aid on Market Street in Kittanning around 9 a.m.
Boylstein allegedly pulled a .38-caliber revolver on a cashier at the front of the store and said. 'Don't push any buttons."
Moving to the back of the store, she handed the pharmacist a note which said, "Touch the alarm and die. Fill the bag with opiates. You have 30 seconds or I'll shoot everyone."
She then told everyone else to hit the floor.
"The woman brandished the weapon again and told them there were specific drugs that she wanted," Trooper Steve Liston said.
She allegedly wanted morphine and other drugs. When the pharmacist tried to give her Percocet she became irritated and distracted.
A struggle for the gun began between the pharmacists and Boylstein.
"At that point she dropped the gun. They were wrestling a bit. At some point the suspect retrieved a second gun from her pocket," Trooper Liston said.
The second gun was a 9mm semi-automatic, which went off and struck a display shelf.
Another customer helped the pharmacist subdue the suspect until police arrived.
"In hindsight, we know that it was a loaded weapon because it did go off. So, very brave, but fortunately nobody got hurt," Trooper Liston said.
Bond was set at $75,000 for Boylstein who was transported to the Armstrong County Jail.
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