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Bluffs man arrested on robbery charge, suspected in 2nd robbery

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January 12th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Police in Council Bluffs arrested one person in connection with the robbery of a pharmacy Wednesday morning. 30-year old Donald A. White, of Council Bluffs, faces charges which include Robbery in the 1st degree, and theft in the 2nd degree. An employee of the Union Pharmacy on West Broadway detained the suspect until police could arrive and take him into custody. White is also suspected of committing a robbery at the CVS Pharmacy on West Washington Street in Council Bluffs, last Sunday evening.

Officials say Bluffs Police officers were called to the store just after 10-a.m, Wednesday, after receiving word a robbery had occurred. While enroute, they learned the suspect was being physically detained. Authorities say White entered the pharmacy wearing dark clothing and a black nylon over his face. He approached clerk Bill Shipley and threatened him with a box cutter before demanding the pain killer hydromorphine.

Shipley punched White in the face and after a struggle, was able to hold him down until police arrived. Shipley told an Omaha television station “You don’t have time to deal with this stuff. It just makes you mad.” Witnesses at the scene told police White arrived at the store in a Dodge pickup, which was later determined to have been stolen out of Omaha. A different Dodge truck was used in Sunday’s robbery. It was recovered shortley after the CVS Pharmacy robbery took place. Officials say charges are pending in connection with that incident.