EDMOND, Oklahoma (NBC News Channel) -- The front doors of the building were broken by burglars, and small pieces of glass litter the floor. And, it's not for the first time.
“You know, this pharmacist has been burglarized several times. This pharmacist has just had enough,” explained Glynda Chu of the Edmond Police Department.
Like so many pharmacies, the workers at Clinic Pharmarcy have been victimized over and over again by pill-seeking thieves.
“You know, they steal money from banks because that's where the money is," Chu said. "The same with pharmacies, cause that's where the drugs are kept.”
As a non-violent way to spoil the thefts, the pharmacist recently emptied several bottles of hydrocodone pills, filling the bottles, instead, with M&Ms. As a result, when burglars stole the prescription bottles, only M&Ms poured out.
“You almost want to be a fly on the wall when they opened a bottle and saw those M&Ms," added Chu.
The creative approach to keeping the crooks away from the building drew praise from those who share space with the Clinic Pharmacy.
“I think its a great idea," neighboring business owner Christy Wilson said. "Anything that deters people from breaking into the building is good news for me.”
“We hope word gets out, and others do something similar," added Chu. "Because this is a very serious problem.”
At the very least, the candy switch may make the thieves move on to a different target.
