Convenience Store Robber Wanted More Than Cash

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Bloomington police are searching for an armed man who robbed a convenience store, but not just for cash. He was looking for something else that's kept behind the counter.

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Drugs containing ephedrine, an ingredient used to make methamphetamine, are now required to be kept at the counter.

That presents a new problem for police. Now, criminals are being bold in an effort to get to it.

The crime was committed in the typical fashion, RTV6's Ericka Flye reported. A robber wearing a ski mask flashed a gun and held up the Circle K convenience store in Bloomington.

Police said he ordered the clerk to give him money and energy pills containing ephedrine.

But, the robber got spooked when a customer walked in, hiding in a storage room, where police believe he hit the jackpot.

"When he left the store, he had several bags and possibly a box that the clerk stated believed was full of ephedrine pills," Bloomington police Sgt. Joe Sanders said.

Police think he may have picked them up from the rear of the store in the storeroom he was hiding in.

A large quantity of ephedrine is what the robber needed to boil down and make the drug, officials said.

Authorities in Indiana and around the country are dealing with an epidemic. They see loads of ephedrine when they seize meth labs.

Bloomington hasn't been hit hard by the meth problem yet. But, police know there are people addicted to the drug who will do anything to get the ingredients to make it.

Officials said people looking to make meth either shoplift the ingredients or make several small purchases at different stores to avoid looking conspicuous.

Police have little doubt the man involved in the Circle K robbery is making meth.

The suspect is described as a white male, 6 feet tall. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black jacket and a ski mask.

Anyone with information is asked to call Bloomington police.