Arrest Made in Willamina Pharmacy Robbery

The investigation into the robbery is continuing, and more arrests are expected.

Salem-News.com

(WILLAMINA, Ore. ) - Yamhill County Sheriff’s Detectives have made an arrest in the December 18th, 2006 robbery of a pharmacy in Willamina.

Jose Huber Delatorre, 22 of Tillamook was charged with 2 counts of First Degree Robbery, First Degree Burglary, First Degree Aggravated Theft, 2 counts of Coercion, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, 2 counts of Menacing and Interfering with Making a Report.

Bail has been set at $350,000.

Delatorre is currently being held in the Tillamook County Jail on charges related to a similar robbery in that county.

In the 6:32 PM Willamina robbery, two masked men entered the unlocked back door of Willamina Drugs, located at 212 E. Main Street Willamina.

Brandishing a pistol, the suspects confronted the owner and an employee who were in the process of closing the store.

Store owner and pharmacist Kamal Kotiach, 46 and employee Patrick Bowman, 54, were bound with plastic ties.

The suspects demanded Oxycontin, a Schedule II controlled substance, which is a highly addictive narcotic analgesic and relative to the morphine family.

The two suspects left with pills valued at approximately $15,000, and a small amount of cash.

The investigation into the robbery is continuing, and more arrests are expected.

Anyone with information is asked to call Yamhill County Sheriff’s Detective Sergeant Jim Carelle at (503) 434-7508.