Crime & Safety
Cops: Local Pharmacist Caught Stealing Prescription Pain Killers
The pharmacist was using the drug to self-medicate, police said.
A local pharmacist was arrested on Friday and charged with stealing hydrocodone, a prescription pain killer, to self-medicate for six months.
According to Southold Town police, Paul Rinaldi, 57, of Miller Place, was arrested on Friday at 1:54 p.m. at the Mattituck Rite Aid and charged with grand larceny in the fourth degree, a felony, and criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Authorities said the Rite Aid pharmacy asset protection division notified the Southold Town police department in reference to an investigation regarding a pharmacist employed by Rite Aid that was allegedly stealing hydrocodone, an opiate, from the pharmacy.
Further investigation revealed that Rinaldi was stealing and self medicating himself with the hydrocodone over the course of a six-month period, police said.
Rinaldi was arrested, transported to Southold police headquarters, processed and released on bail.
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