Schools Put on High Alert After Pharmacy Holdup

Two elementary schools were put on high alert Tuesday afternoon following a robbery at a nearby pharmacy, school officials told The Missourian.

A man, who claimed to have a weapon, robbed Hall’s Pharmacy in Krakow shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday. The pharmacy is located in a small shopping center on Highway A near Country Club Road.

St. Gertrude Grade School is located on Highway YY, a short distance just south of the pharmacy, and Clearview Elementary School is located several miles south off Highway A. Both schools were notified of the robbery by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and told a manhunt was under way for the man.

Mike Newbanks, St. Gertrude principal, and Dr. Lori VanLeer, Washington School District superintendent, said since schools are essentially in lock-down mode every day they weren’t overly concerned.

“We did make sure all of our doors were locked and the kids who attend after-care were kept indoors as a precaution,” said Newbanks. “We also have a few students who walk home and we had their parents pick them up instead.”

VanLeer said Clearview held its school buses back for about five to 10 minutes until police indicated the all-clear.

“An officer was physically at Clearview, providing direction throughout the search for the suspects,” she said. “We were in communication with secondary schools, First Student and the police until given the go-ahead to run out buses.”

Law enforcement also maintained a presence at St. Gertrude School until all students were released.

Newbanks said staff and students were alerted to the situation.

“Some of the kids were alarmed, but most were just excited,” he said. “We also had a few parents call, but we did dismiss at the regular time. We really didn’t have any questions today (Wednesday) from the kids.”

The sheriff’s department is still searching for the suspect, who was described as a white male in his 20s or 30s with dark hair and athletic build. After the robbery, he ran across Highway A to a waiting car described as a blue, four-door “sporty” car with slotted wheels.