RIVERVIEW — A Riverview man held up a Publix Thursday afternoon, demanding prescription drugs. His weapon of choice: A hammer.
Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies said Eric Thayer, 32, entered the Publix at 11109 Winthrop Market St. at about 1:30 p.m. Thayer told the pharmacy employees, "This is a hold up" and demanded Oxycodone, Diazepam and Valium, prescription painkillers.
When the pharmacist refused, Thayer grabbed several bottles of medication and left the store, but several people followed him outside, deputies said. At that point, Thayer started brandishing a hammer.
A deputy and detective happened to be in the parking lot at the time and saw what happened.
They arrested Thayer without incident and charged him with robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a drug without a prescription.
He was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail, where he remains in lieu of $10,500.00 bail.
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