Man arrested for armed robbery after he allegedly robbed a Murrieta Walgreens

MURRIETA – Murrieta Police officers arrested a man on Mar. 4, after he allegedly used a handgun to rob a Walgreens in Murrieta. The man reportedly stole a large quantity of prescription medication before fleeing the business, according to Murrieta Police Sergeant Steve Dyer.

The Murrieta Police emergency communications center received a 911 call at 5:29 p.m., regarding an armed robbery in progress at the Walgreens, located at 40663 California Oaks Road, Dyer wrote in a press release. The 911 caller told police dispatchers that an adult male approached the pharmacy, where he displayed a handgun and demanded OxyContin pills from the clerk.

“The clerk handed over approximately 600 OxyContin pills, which had a retail value of over $10,000,” Dyer explained.

A Murrieta Police officer arrived within one minute of the robbery and saw a man fleeing the business who matched the description provided by the 911 caller. The officer attempted to detain the subject, at which time he ran into a nearby apartment complex.

Other officers responding to the area established a perimeter around the apartments and began searching for the man. Officers eventually located and detained the subject, who was identified as Jacob Allen Nielsen, a 22-year-old transient. During their search, officers also located the both the handgun used in the robbery and the stolen OxyContin hidden inside the complex.

“Nielson had apparently changed some of his clothing while hiding trying to disguise his appearance,” Dyer wrote about the robbery and Nielson’s arrest. In spite of his attempt to change his appearance, Walgreens employees identified Nelson as the person who had robbed the business.

Following their investigation, officers arrested Nielsen. Officers transported him to the Southwest Detention Center where he was booked for suspicion of armed robbery, use of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a concealed firearm, exhibit or displaying a firearm in a threatening manner, possession of stolen property, resisting arrest and possession of a controlled substance.

Nielson was being held in lieu of $105,000 bail. He is scheduled for arraignment on Mar. 9, at 8 a.m. at the Southwest Justice Center.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to call the on duty Murrieta Police watch commander at 951-696-3615. Callers can refer to incident file number 1603M-0907 and can also provide information anonymously through “We Tip” at 1-800-78-CRIME.

 

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