Police say stolen supplements may be used by dealers to dilute
illegal drugs
Gilroy – Three vitamin stores across Gilroy have been burglarized in the past week and a half and police believe the vitamins may be used as cutting agents by drug dealers.
“The crimes are very similar in nature so they could very well be associated. It’s all the same kind of stores,” said Gilroy Police Department Sgt. Kurt Svardal.
“It definitely makes us think they could be associated,” he added.
The Vitamin Shoppe located at 6965 Camino Arroyo has been struck three times since Dec. 1 when thieves smashed the door and broke the glass case holding high priced vitamin supplements.
The rash of burglaries is the first time the store has been targeted. The thieves succeeded twice in breaking into the store.
While inventory is still being taken, he does know that several jars of CellMass and No Explode were stolen in one of the incidents.
“There’s no rhyme or reason to it,” said a Vitamin Shoppe manager who declined to give his name.
The most recent burglary attempt on the Vitamin Shoppe occurred Friday at 2:29pm – just 40 minutes after burglars broke into General Nutrition Center at 787 First St.
“Our people found (The Vitamin Shoppe) secure but found what looked like holes in the glass made with a crowbar,” said Cpl. Veronica Georges.
At the time of the GNC break-in, witnesses saw three individuals get out of a blue or green compact vehicle, kick out the glass of GNC and return carrying white boxes.
“Our officers found what would have held some high priced supplements scattered about,” said Georges.
Several types of supplements were taken and the suspects appeared to try and pry open register.
The most recent attack on a vitamin shop occurred early Sunday morning at Max Muscle sometime between 2:40am and 2:45am.
Police believe the crimes may be linked and that the stolen vitamins and supplements stolen may be used as cutting agents for illicit drugs.
“They use all kinds of stuff as cutting agents,” said Sgt. Svardal. “Almost anything can be used to cut.”
Drug dealers dilute drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin with a similar looking, cheaper product to turn a higher profit.
“These people are crooks,” Svardal said. “It’s a possibility for sure that they are being used as cutting agents, but the stuff could like this is rather expensive so it could be sold at flea markets.”
Police are reviewing a videotape from one of the stores for more information on the three suspects pictured.
