Columbia Heights CVS plagued by crime closing in February

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Original title: "CVS store shelves bare as thieves in DC plan robberies around delivery times, workers say" Updated, January 24, 2020.

CVS store shelves bare as thieves in DC plan robberies around delivery times, workers say

By Sierra Fox | Published October 4, 2023 9:20AM | Updated 12:27PM | News | FOX 5 DC |

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WASHINGTON - The shelves are mostly bare at a CVS store in D.C.'s Columbia Heights neighborhood and people who live in the area are concerned. ... "It makes me not want to shop there to be honest. I just go in there and get my prescription and then when I need other things, I go elsewhere because there’s nothing there to get," said Ilana Miller, CVS Customer.

According to staff who work there, 45 or more kids are regularly going in to steal chips and drinks before school, after school, and late at night.

CVS employees have been alerted that thieves are aware of when new shipments come in and that's when they target the store. They also say that street venders are allegedly paying people to steal so they can re-sell it and make a profit.

FOX 5 walked down 14th Street passing by street venders and noticed were selling items like toothbrushes, men and women body wash, car fresheners, and laundry and cleaning supplies – which are some of the same items no longer available inside the CVS. However, there is no direct evidence that those goods came from the store.



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CVS store shelves bare after thieves repeatedly target robberies around delivery times, workers say

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[Pantagruel]

1. CVS should stamp their stock

Labeled goods are worth less to street venders.

[ExciteBike66]

2. Let me get this straight...

CVS is supposedly picked this bare, but isn't hiring a security guard?

[IronLionZion]

8. I wouldn't want to be a security guard

those folks get shot sometimes.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

10. Security Guard, Shoplifting Suspect Dead in Shooting at Oxon Hill Grocery Store: Police

MARYLAND

Security Guard, Shoplifting Suspect Dead in Shooting at Oxon Hill Grocery Store: Police

There’s no threat to the community, police said

Published November 4, 2022 • Updated on November 5, 2022 at 4:44 pm

A man and a woman were killed in a shooting Friday morning at a Giant grocery store in Oxon Hill, Maryland, when an attempted act of shoplifting turned deadly, police said.

Police said a male security guard confronted a female shoplifter, who pulled a gun from her backpack and opened fire on the security guard. He then returned fire, police said.

Prince George’s County police responded about 10:25 a.m. to the shooting at the Giant in the 20 block of Audrey Lane, at the Eastover Shopping Center.

The security guard, 43-year-old Willie Tate of Fredericksburg, was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspected shoplifter, 20-year-old Zaila Akida of District Heights, died at a hospital, police said.

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[BigMin28]

3. Hmm

I would take this story with a grain of salt. It is from Fox and a Fox affiliate. Not saying there is no shop lifting going on, but I doubt on this scale. If I'm wrong I have to wonder, what security measures are being taken by these companies?

[spooky3]

5. The local Fox channel is different from Fox News.

I think it’s generally respected.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

7. A lot. I watch it every day. I've been watching it since it was a DuMont affiliate.

Thu Aug 10, 2023: On August 6, 1956, the DuMont Television Network ceased network operations.

Mon Jun 26, 2023: On this day, June 26, 1942, the DuMont Television Network began operation.

[elleng]

4. BAD news.

Haven't been able to reach 'my' cvs past week, not answering their phone. I'm 60 miles south of DC. Will keep trying.

[IronLionZion]

9. Nobody answers phones these days. They claim to be short staffed

but if you go into a store, they have to talk to you eventually.

[elleng]

11. I surely will drop by, as there are a few things I need

other than prescription.

[niyad]

6. hey fox, it is "vendors", not "venders". and "noticed that they" not, "noticed were".

[yonder]

12. +1. Venders hit me like a 2x4. Yow!

[mahatmakanejeeves]

14. I know; I know. Maybe they'll get that in the next update. And good afternoon. NT

[niyad]

15. Good afternoon.

[IronLionZion]

13. It's organized crime rings

the size and scale of it means it's not some impoverished homeless people trying to get some food. Some of it might be stupid teenagers.

But most of it looks like large organized coordinated groups who do this as a career.

Loading/unloading is when trucks are vulnerable to theft.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

16. Thieves hit Columbia Heights CVS, leaving shelves nearly empty

Thieves hit Columbia Heights CVS, leaving shelves nearly empty

Scott Gelman | [e-mail]
October 5, 2023, 11:35 PM

Shoplifting rings have targeted a CVS store in Northwest D.C., which the company said has resulted in thefts that have left the shelves empty.

In a statement, a company spokeswoman said CVS has worked with local law enforcement to “identify and dismantle several major shoplifting rings and will continue to do so. In addition, we’re supporting new initiatives to combat retail theft in partnership with the DC Attorney General’s Office.” ... But, the spokeswoman said, the company has no plans to close any of its D.C. stores.

On Thursday afternoon, the Columbia Heights pharmacy had a line of customers, but almost all of the shelves were empty. There were a few exceptions, such as some food products, vitamins and printer ink, but even the store’s refrigerators were almost entirely empty. ... Many people walked in and then quickly out.



Nearly empty shelves at the Columbia Heights CVS which has been hit by a wave of shoplifting. (WTOP/Scott Gelman)

The store has a security guard on site during regular store hours. The guard told WTOP it is security’s responsibility to protect customers and employees rather than chase after shoplifters. He called it the worst CVS store in the D.C. region when it comes to theft, and said one person regularly comes in and fills up a suitcase with merchandise. ... Two men came into the store Thursday with reusable shopping bags, and the guard suspected they had just filled them up with store items.

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Scott Gelman
Scott Gelman is a digital editor and writer for WTOP. A South Florida native, Scott graduated from the University of Maryland in 2019. During his time in College Park, he worked for The Diamondback, the school’s student newspaper.

[e-mail]

[mahatmakanejeeves]

17. Columbia Heights CVS plagued by crime closing in February

Other DUers insist that this is not happening. I will leave it for individuals to decide for themselves whether to believe their eyes or the doubting DUers.

Columbia Heights CVS plagued by crime closing in February

By FOX 5 DC Digital Team | Published January 23, 2024 6:12PM | Updated January 24, 2024 9:13AM | News | FOX 5 DC |

WASHINGTON - A CVS store in Columbia Heights that has been plagued by robberies is closing its doors after struggling with months of near-constant crime that left shelves empty.

"We’ve made the difficult decision to close our store at 3031 14th St. NW in Columbia Heights on Feb. 29. All prescriptions will be transferred to the nearby CVS Pharmacy at 1755 Columbia Rd. NW. to ensure patients have uninterrupted access to pharmacy care," said in a statement to FOX 5.

"Maintaining access to pharmacy services in the communities we serve is an important factor we consider when making store closure decisions. Other factors include local market dynamics, population shifts, a community’s store density, and ensuring there are other geographic access points to meet the needs of the community," the statement continued.

They add that all employees at the store are being offered "comparable roles" within the company.

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