A Chaffee, Mo., man was arrested last Friday in connection with a string of charges related to fraudulently attempting to obtain drugs from area pharmacies.

Cape Girardeau police arrested Joseph A. Metz, 26, of Chaffee, on warrants for one count of forgery and five felony counts of fraudulently attempting to obtain a controlled substance.

The first incident occurred Jan. 3 at the Target pharmacy in Cape Girardeau, when Metz allegedly entered the store and presented a stolen prescription pad from a Chaffee physician's office. Metz allegedly had a prescription for Lorcet filled, with the doctor's signature forged, according to a probable-cause statement signed by Detective Henry Voelker of the Cape Girardeau police department. Surveillance video in the store captured the transaction.

Similar purchases were reported at the Saint Francis Medical Center Pharmacy and the Kmart Pharmacy on Jan. 21, the statement said.

Metz allegedly admitted to the fraudulent purchase during an interview with police.

The prescription tablet was reported stolen Jan. 14, and the doctor's office informed Walgreens, who alerted police that Metz's name was one of those being used for the phony prescriptions, according a probable-cause statement signed by Officer Blackman of the Cape Girardeau police.

Metz should have no such prescription, the office reported.

Metz waived the formal arraignment Monday and a preliminary hearing has been set for Feb. 20.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

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