Copperas Cove man arrested after pharmacy break-ins

A Copperas Cove man is under arrest after the break-in of a local pharmacy and the attempted breakin of a second pharmacy on Christmas day.

Lampasas Police Chief Tim Angermann gave the following account of events that holiday morning.

At 8 a.m. Tuesday, back-to-back alarms went off at Hodges & Sargent Pharmacy and Cattles Pharmacy. Police dispatcher Andy McCatherine handled both calls.

A quick response by Officer Dean Werlinger led to the arrest of a suspect who was caught inside Cattles Pharmacy filling his pockets with pill bottles, Angermann said.

Prior to that, Dale Roy Noordam, 33, cut the phone line at Hodges & Sargent, which tripped the alarm, said Angermann.

With the alarm blaring at that South Key Avenue location, Noordam made his way north a few blocks to Cattles Pharmacy, where he used a jack handle to break the drive-through window.

Noordam then climbed through the window into the building, said Angermann.

Werlinger was assisted at the scene by Ronnie Withers, a firefighter and certified police officer, as well as by Sgt. Tony Barrio and Angermann. They were joined by Department of Public Safety Trooper Monte Carroll.

The building was searched to be sure no other suspects were inside, Angermann said.

Lt. Investigator Jody Cummings is handling the follow-up report.

Noordam, who was wearing flipflops, was transported to Rollins Brook Community Hospital for treatment of a cut on his foot and then taken to Lampasas County Jail.

He is charged with burglary of a building, possession of a controlled substance under 200 grams, possession of a dangerous drug and criminal mischief. Bonds total $8,000.

As of press time Monday morning, Noordam was still in the county jail.