Pharmacy tech charged with theft of prescriptions

FLORENCE - A former pharmacy employee was arrested after she was accused of taking prescription drugs from the business.

Ashley Jade Montgomery, 21, 3450 Cloverdale Road, Apt. 22, Florence, was arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with second-degree theft of property, said Florence police.

Detective David Bradley said Montgomery is accused of taking five kinds of prescription drugs from Rite Aid Pharmacy on Wood Avenue.

"Apparently, this has been going on for about a month," Bradley said. "It was just a few pills at a time."

Among the drugs Montgomery was accused of taking are morphine, Lortab and Percocet, all prescription narcotics. Reports indicate she had been working at the business for about two years as a pharmacy technician.

Bradley said the store's loss prevention experts were notified when store officials discovered the missing pills.

"They did an internal audit and then conducted an investigation to determine who was involved," Bradley said.

He said the internal investigation began in June.

Bradley said loss prevention personnel contacted police Wednesday.

"They turned over the information, and after reviewing the case, we got the warrants and made the arrest," he said.

Officers Eric Pollard and Evan Whiteside arrested Montgomery at the business without incident.

Second-degree theft of property is a Class C felony and is punishable by one to 10 years if convicted.

Montgomery was taken to the Lauderdale County Detention Center, where she has been released on bail totaling $1,500.

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.