Staff Report

PILOT MOUNTAIN — The man accused of robbing a local drug store is behind bars after allegedly demanding pain pills at gunpoint.

Mark Israel Robertson, 38, of 2192 Simpson Mill Road, Dobson, has been charged with felony armed robbery and felony larceny. He is being held in the Surry County Jail under a $50,000 secured bond.

According to Pilot Mountain Police Chief Darryl Bottoms, Robertson entered the store April 15 at 7:30 p.m. and walked to the drop-off counter at the pharmacy. He told the clerk he had a gun and lifted his shirt where she could see it in his waistband. Bottoms said officers later learned that the weapon was a bb gun.

“He told her not to say a word. He asked for Oxycontin, but she gave him about $3,000 in generic Vicodin. He left on foot, and our officers located him about five minutes later at a home on Stephens Street,” Bottoms said.

Lt. Mike Palmer and Officers David Edmonds and R.D. Bingman made the arrest.

Bottoms said this is the first drug robbery he can remember in the Pilot Mountain area. He said Robertson has a lengthy police record. All but a few of the pills were recovered.