PHOTO: Michael David Baxter, 35 of Ider was arrested on charges of Pharmacy Robbery after a high speed chase on I-59 that began in Georgia and ended in DeKalb County. (Jackson County Sheriff's Office)

By Staff Reports 

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. – According to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office: On Tuesday October 3, 2017, at approximately 1:30 PM, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a Robbery at Ponder Pharmacy in Higdon, AL.  During this Robbery, a white male subject entered the Pharmacy armed with a handgun and took several bottles of the controlled substance Oxycodone.

Witnesses provided a description of the suspect and suspects’ vehicle which was forwarded to surrounding counties including Dade County Georgia.  A short time later the Dade County Georgia Sheriff’s Office and Trenton, Georgia Police Department located the suspect vehicle near I-59 in Trenton, Georgia.

A high speed chase ensued at speeds in excess of 100 mph southbound on I-59 into DeKalb County Alabama. The chase ended as the suspect exited I-59 near the Sulfur Springs exit. The suspect, Michael David Baxter age 35 of Ider, Alabama, was arrested and evidence was recovered from the vehicle including the stolen items and a handgun. After determining that BAXTER ingested a number of the stolen Oxycodone, DeKalb Ambulance Service (DAS) was contacted and responded to the scene.

Due to BAXTER being under the influence of the Oxycodone, he was transported to Highlands Hospital in Scottsboro, Alabama. BAXTER was admitted and remains in the hospital and is being guarded by members of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.  An arrest warrant has been obtained charging BAXTER with Pharmacy Robbery. On Wednesday October 4, 2017, BAXTER was released from Highlands Hospital and was transported to the Jackson County Jail where he was charged with Pharmacy Robbery.

Jackson County Sheriff Chuck Phillips wants to thank all the agencies who assisted and participated in this investigation.