Independence pharmacy robbery thwarted by employees

A pair of would-be pharmacy robbers who were tackled and held by employees of an Independence drug store early Wednesday were charged Thursday in federal court.

Julian R. King, 21, and Melinda P. Backhus, 22, each were charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.

According to court documents, a man and a woman wearing masks entered the Walgreens at 39th Street and Noland Road about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday.

When they jumped over the pharmacy counter and demanded Oxycodone, the pharmacist starting running away with the man chasing her. A store employee tackled the woman, who bit him on the arm, causing “significant damage and bleeding,” according to the documents.

Another employee chased and tackled the man. Employees held both until police arrived.

This story was originally published September 10, 2015 at 4:28 PM with the headline "Independence pharmacy robbery thwarted by employees."