Pharmacy tech charged in painkiller thefts

A St. Charles pharmacy technician is facing felony charges for stealing an estimated 2,000 prescription painkillers from her employer, police said Tuesday.

Colette P. Mazzie, 25, of the 600 block of Hapsfield Lane, Buffalo Grove, was arrested last week after police responded to a report of an employee theft at Walgreens, 3351 W. Main St. She is charged with unlawful possession and delivery of a controlled substance and theft over $300, according to police.

Beginning in mid-July, police said, Mazzie stole about 2,000 hydrocodone pills while working as a pharmacy technician at Walgreens. She is accused of then selling them to an acquaintance for $2 each.

St. Charles police spokesman Paul McCurtain said authorities became involved after Mazzie signed a statement for her employer in which she admitted to the thefts. He said she went on to surrender to police on Thursday, at which point she also turned over 475 hydrocodone pills.

“They were not for personal use, McCurtain said.

Walgreens is conducting an internal investigation to determine exactly how many pills were stolen, McCurtain said, but it is believed to be about 2,000. He said 2,000 pills would be worth about $1,500.

If convicted of the most serious charge, a Class 2 felony, Mazzie could be sentenced to up to seven years in prison. Her attorney, Michael Saken, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Mazzie, who is free on bond, is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 4.