Two charged in painkiller heist

Lance Martin/Herald Senior Staff

ENFIELD - Two people are in jail on $50,000 bonds following an armed robbery at an Enfield drug store in which an assortment of painkillers was stolen.

Enfield Police Chief Jack Smith said the robbery occurred around 9:30 Wednesday morning when a man named Kareem McKellak of Rocky Mount allegedly entered Drummond's Pharmacy on Whitfield Street with a 12-gauge pump shotgun.

As he entered the store, Smith said McKellak put on a mask and demanded specific pain-killing drugs such as endocet, hydrocodone and loritab. He got seven bottles of pills valued at $11,250.

He left the store with the owner following him outside and got into a waiting pickup driven by Gregory Allen Poland, 26, of Nashville, N.C.

The pair left on Franklin Street before proceeding to Beaverdam Road.

A Halifax County Sheriff's Office deputy spotted the truck on Beaverdam Road three miles outside Enfield and stopped the vehicle. They were charged with armed robbery and felony larceny.

Smith said there was no evidence to suggest the men were going to resell the drugs. He said McKellak indicated he used them.

Smith was pleased with observant witnesses and cooperation from the sheriff's office. “We had good witnesses. The sheriff's office was exceptionally helpful. They would not have been apprehended as quickly if it had not been for them. They really gave us a good shot in the arm.”