© Richard B. Levine
NY: Rite Aid drugstore chain in New York
NEW YORK (77WABC) — Crime has forced the closure of a Manhattan Rite aid at West 50th St. and 8th Ave. Criminals have stolen over $200,000 in merchandise, party of a citywide pattern of shoplifting.
“They come in every day, sometimes twice a day, with laundry bags and just load up on stuff,” a store employee told The New York Post. “They take whatever they want and we can’t do anything about it. It’s why the store is closing. They can’t afford to keep it open.”
The chain has announced the closing of over 60 of its drug stores due to serial thefts, leaving store shelves empty. Staffers had been told to tell customers Rite Aid is closing the store in an effort to cut costs but they said the thefts drove the decision.
“Like all retail businesses, we regularly review each of our locations to ensure we are meeting the needs of our customers, communities and overall business,” a spokesperson told the Post. “Like all retail businesses, we regularly review each of our locations to ensure we are meeting the needs of our customers, communities and overall business.”
Another Rite Aid on Manhattan’s Upper East Side that’s seen an uptick in thefts is scheduled to shut down on Feb. 15.
