Three charged after pharmacy break-in

Monday, November 02, 2009 12:34 AM  |  Printer friendly version | E-mail to a friend |

By Shavonne Potts

spotts@salisburypost.com

A Gold Hill man was charged with possessing weapons of mass destruction and breaking into a Rockwell pharmacy with two other people, stealing more than $3,000 worth of an anxiety medication.

Bruce Stephen Shipton, 53, of 1375 Gin Road, was charged with five counts weapons of mass destruction.

According to an arrest warrant, Shipton had a Kinepak, which is a popular brand, of binary explosive device, two incendiary grenades, an MP-38 9 mm fully automatic firearm and an MP-38 8 mm Kurtz fully automatic.

The Rowan County Sheriff's Office placed Shipton in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond.

The warrant was served Sunday. Shipton was also charged Sunday with felony breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, possession of burglary tools and possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a schedule IV controlled substance.

A warrant said he entered Crescent Pharmacy, 314 E. Main St., Rockwell, "with the intent to commit a crime."

Taken from the pharmacy were 593 units of diazapam, which is commonly used to treat anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, insomnia and seizures.

The pills are valued at $3,732.09. Rockwell Police officers found an axe and a mattock, which is similar to a pickaxe.

He was given an additional $25,000 bond.

Also charged in the pharmacy break-in were Christopher Richard Leonard, 22, and Cassie Joe Martin, 24, also of 1375 Gin Road, Gold Hill.

Charges were felony breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, possession of burglary tools and possession with the intent to manufacture sell and deliver a schedule IV controlled substance.

Both Leonard and Martin remain in the Rowan County jail, each under a $25,000 secured bond.

Martin, also known as Cassie Marie Martin, received probation in 2004 in Robeson County for a conviction of wanton injury to personal property, a misdemeanor.

Shipton, Leonard and Martin are scheduled for first court appearances Tuesday.