New Port Richey pharmacist fights back against armed robber

NEW PORT RICHEY - With a gun pointed at him, pharmacist Snehal Patel said he stayed clam and looked for the right moment to fight back.

"I knew he was very serious but it didn't matter. The way I see it if you come into my store and try to rob me, I'm sorry. You are not going to walk away with it because I don't want you to ever come back in my store," said Patel.

According to New Port Richey police, Ian McCain walked into the Money Saver Pharmacy Monday and pulled out a gun.

He wanted oxycodone, but became agitated when there wasn't enough.

"Because he was getting antsy, I thought it was better to tussle with him because he may have gotten angry for not getting what he wanted. So we got into a brawl," said Patel.

Patel said while McCain was looking for more pills, he grabbed the gun by the muzzle and pointed it at the ground. It went off, but the bullet hit the carpet and missed everyone in the store.

"As a pharmacist, the last thing I want to do is hurt someone. But I do believe in protecting yourself," said Patel.

After the struggle inside, police said McCain ran out, tossed the gun, and tried to hide in a nearby house. Minutes later he was arrested.

"The whole incident, probably no less than five minutes before he was caught," said Patel.

Patel told us people should know better than to mess with his pharmacy. He's got tight security and said about 80 people have been arrested for trying to bring in fraudulent prescriptions. He hopes this latest attempt will be a lesson for everyone else.

"If you are the bad guy, stay away. Stay away from all pharmacies. You don't know what you are going to face," said Patel.

Patel's hand was slightly burned when the gun went off, but he's ok, and back on the job.