Retired police officer jailed in robbery of pharmacy

Jackson police have arrested a man -- a retired police lieutenant from El Paso, Texas -- they say is the suspect who robbed the Horst Pharmacy in Jackson earlier this month.

Jeffrey Earl Lattimer, 48, of 199 Oak Hill Road in Jackson was charged Wednesday with the class A felony of pharmacy robbery in the first degree, according to Cape Girardeau Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle.

Lattimer reportedly confessed to robbing the store of Fioricet, Xanax, and Valium, police said. Fioricet is a pain reliever and sedative; Xanax is used in the treatment of anxiety and Valium is a tranquilizer.

According to El Paso police chief Richard Wiles, Lattimer was hired July 25, 1977, and retired as a lieutenant June 23, 1998. Wiles said that Lattimer had a clean record with the El Paso police.

"His notice of retirement by assistant chief Carlos Leon indicated that he would be eligible for re-employment in any department in the city," Wiles said.

Jackson police were tipped off about Lattimer's possible involvement when he was checked into Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau Tuesday, said Jackson police Lt. Rodney Barnes. A large quantity of those medications was found in his possession. The hospital notified the Cape Girardeau police, who relayed the information to Jackson police.

Lattimer was taken into custody, and his wife gave police consent to search their Jackson home, Barnes said. During the search, police found several articles related to the robbery and seized them as evidence.

Lattimer waived his Miranda rights and signed a waiver agreeing to be questioned. During questioning he admitted he robbed the store, and gave police a written statement.

According to the prosecutor's charges, Lattimer entered Horst Pharmacy on Nov. 2 and claimed he had an explosive device in a gym bag he was carrying. He specifically demanded the three types of medications be put into another bag.

On Wednesday, Judge Gary Kamp set Lattimer's bond at $50,000. He remains in the Cape Girardeau County Jail.

lredeffer@semissourian.com

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