Garcia Gets 57 Months for Walgreens Xanax, Codeine Heist

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A brazen daylight robbery at a local Walgreens has landed 25-year-old Mark Anthony Garcia a lengthy federal prison sentence. Garcia was sentenced today to 57 months behind bars for snatching a supply of highly sought-after prescription drugs, U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced.

On September 11, 2016, Garcia strolled into the Walgreens, walked straight to the pharmacy counter, and made his demands. Brandishing what appeared to be a black semi-automatic handgun, he ordered employees to hand over all of their Xanax and Codeine. He didn’t bother with subtlety. He made off with four bottles of Xanax and two bottles of Codeine, leaving staff shaken and police scrambling.

The heist wasn’t exactly a masterclass in criminal planning. Store surveillance cameras quickly captured Garcia’s image, leading to a swift identification. When officers apprehended him, they recovered some of the stolen controlled substances. More damningly, they also found a remarkably realistic black BB gun – the weapon he used to terrorize the Walgreens staff. It was a cheap imitation, but it got the job done, at least temporarily.

Garcia pleaded guilty on November 14, 2016, to the charge of robbery involving controlled substances. Senior U.S. District Judge John Rainey wasn’t impressed with the plea. Today’s sentencing includes the 57-month prison term, followed by three years of supervised release once he’s finally sprung. The judge also ordered Garcia to pony up $2,994.81 in restitution to cover the damages and losses incurred by the Walgreens.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Corpus Christi Police Department. These are the agencies that put Garcia behind bars. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Watt skillfully prosecuted the case, ensuring Garcia faced the full weight of federal law.

Garcia will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility. Where he’ll end up is still to be determined, but one thing is certain: he’ll have plenty of time to contemplate his poor life choices. This case serves as a stark reminder that robbing pharmacies isn’t a victimless crime and carries severe consequences.

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