Police: No bomb involved in November robbery

Bloomington police responded to an anonymous tip Monday regarding the identity of a man who reportedly robbed a pharmacy late last month.

John R. Anderson, 31, of the 5000 block of South Cardwell Road, was arrested in connection with the robbery after police located him at a local Wal-Mart, Bloomington Police Department Detective Sgt. John Kovach said.

Anderson reportedly told a cashier at the Pharmacy 1 Express, 730 W. Second St., Nov. 20 that his family was being held hostage back at his residence and was being forced to rob the store. Kovach said he also mentioned that a bomb would detonate behind the store if the robbery proved unsuccessful. He was, however, unarmed, and there was never a bomb planted behind the store. Kovach also said Anderson admitted no family member was ever in a hostage situation.

The cashier obliged and Anderson reportedly made off with a little less than $100 in cash as well as 500 capsules of Hydrocodone. Kovach said Anderson later admitted to giving his girlfriend 100 pills, keeping an additional 100 pills and selling the rest.

His girlfriend, Jessica H. Thacker, 27, is facing preliminary charges of receiving stolen property, a felony. Anderson faces preliminary felony robbery charges, Kovach said.

— Michael Majchrowicz