Pregnant pharmacist attacked by armed robber at Clearwater Walgreens

CLEARWATER — A 28-year-old pregnant pharmacist is recovering Tuesday morning after an armed robber hit her in the head with his gun and stole pain medication from a Clearwater Beach Walgreens on Monday afternoon.

The robber, according to Clearwater police, hurdled the pharmacy counter at 660 Gulfview Blvd. before attacking Monika Girgis, of Belleair Bluffs. She and a technician stood back as the robber grabbed a "large quantity of pain medication" and fled the store.

A surveillance video shows the suspect, a thin white man in a dark hat, gray T-shirt and baggy jeans, jump the counter about 4:45 p.m. Police estimated that the man, who remains at large, was 30 years old and 6 feet 2 inches tall.

Girgis was hospitalized and released.

Drew Harwell can be reached at dharwell@sptimes.com or (727) 445-4170.