Burglars sought for statewide Mucinex thefts

SOUTH FORT MYERS, Fla. — Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers are searching for three women believed to have stolen nearly $20,000 worth of medication, much of it Mucinex, from drugstores between Orlando and Fort Myers.

The most recent theft happened Jan. 17 when the women entered the CVS store at 7581 Winkler Road, Crime Stoppers said. Surveillance video shows a heavyset woman between 30 and 40 years old walking around the store as if she was surveying the area.

Two younger women who appeared to be 25-30 years old arrived a few minutes later carrying large tote bags.

The first suspect motioned to the others, who started scooping expensive medicine off the store’s shelves, according to Crime Stoppers. They made off with $1,792 in medicines, primarily Mucinex and Prilosec, Crime Stoppers said.

By the time store employees realized their shelves were bare, the trio had disappeared.

The three were caught on camera the same day at the CVS store on 5990 South Pointe Boulevard, where they employed the same tactics and walked away with $2,686 in Mucinex and Breathe Right strips, Crime Stoppers said.

Detectives have linked these women to at least four similar cases within the last two weeks at CVS stores throughout Lee County, where they almost exclusively stole Mucinex products, according to Crime Stoppers. The string of thefts across the state are believed to have been going on for weeks.

The trio may be driving a dark-colored Dodge Ram truck with chrome wheels.

Anyone with information about the identities and whereabouts of the suspects is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tips may also be made online at www.southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com or by submitting a tip on the P3Tips app.