Edsel Bradford: 90-Year-Old Man Arrested For Allegedly Bribing Pharmacist
Edsel Bradford, 90, was reportedly arrested for allegedly bribing a pharmacist for prescription drugs.
Daily News reports that the elderly man offered $100 to the pharmacy staff of a Wal-Mart in Chattanooga, Tennessee in exchange for 10 hydrocodone pills.
A 90-year-old man was arrested in Walmart after police said he tried to bribe a pharmacist… http://t.co/BgutcMwN6x pic.twitter.com/KxwFzN5NDo
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According to the report, Bradford did not stop trying to get the prescription drugs after the pharmacist rejected his initial bribe. On the contrary, he allegedly escalated his request to a violent threat.
“After the pharmacist rejected the bribe, Bradford allegedly threatened to get a gun and start shooting people so he could get the pills.”
Bradford even went to customers within the store, attempting to purchase the pills directly from them instead. His outbursts eventually moved from the Wal-Mart pharmacy to the store’s deli.
The Chattanoogan reports that Edsel Bradford also started throwing items around in the store when it became clear that he would not get what he wanted. Police officers called to the scene discovered the 90-year-old man cursing and screaming loudly at Wal-Mart employees and customers.
“When they tried to ask him what happened, he was aggressive with them as well, and tried to push past police. He struggled when taken into custody.”
An October 2014 report published by the Modern Medicine Network listed Tennessee as No. 5 on a list of the top 10 states for pharmacy robberies in 2013.
1. Arizona (77)
2. Indiana (71)
3. California (60)
4. Pennsylvania (41)
5. Tennessee (37)
6. North Carolina (33)
7. Massachusetts (30)
8. Ohio (28)
9. Texas (24)
10. Washington (23)
Ken Fagerman, author of Staring Down the Barrel: A Pharmacists’ Guide to Diversion and Coping with Robbery, stated that the robberies in Arizona “tend to be a little more violent in nature” and “are very polished” from the stories that he has heard.
In an effort to prevent or at least reduce these crimes, Fagerman suggested active partnerships with law enforcement officials in addition to the installation of security equipment and the increased awareness of pharmacy employees.
“Fagerman suggests active partnerships with local law enforcement officials, silent alarms, and outdoor security cameras. He also said pharmacy employees have to become better witnesses, by providing descriptions of suspects, weapons, cars, and the direction in which suspects flee.”
According to The Chattanoogan, Edsel Bradford was arrested and booked at the Hamilton County Jail. The Rossville resident reportedly received multiple charges – including resisting arrest or obstruction of legal process, vandalism/malicious mischief, and disorderly conduct.
[Image Credit: Dollar Photo Club]
