Charges filed in pharmacy burglary spree that hit Thurston County, feds announce
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- They were indicted on 24 counts for a string of 17 pharmacy burglaries.
- Court documents allege four of the 17 burglaries were at Thurston County pharmacies.
- Surveillance video and DNA from a glove linked the suspects to Arrow Pharmacy.
Two Seattle-area men face charges for a string of 17 pharmacy burglaries throughout the Puget Sound, including in Thurston County, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington announced on Tuesday.
Court documents allege that of the 17 burglaries four of them were at Thurston County pharmacies. They allegedly stole more than $5,000 worth of controlled substances at one Lacey location.
Juston Young, 42, and Koumssa Wakgira, 44, received their 24-count indictment in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. Court documents allege conspiracy to steal controlled substances and conspiracy to distribute those substances.
According to court records, the two charged men did not obtain controlled substances in every break-in. But in one case, they allegedly stole more than 24,000 doses of restricted medications worth over $37,000.
The arrest warrant for the two men was issued May 28. Young was located and arrested June 4, and pleaded not guilty at his arraignment June 11.
The U.S. Marshals Service arrested Wakgira Tuesday morning and his arraignment was Wednesday.
The Olympia and Lacey burglaries
Lt. Paul Lower described Olympia Police Department’s investigation as “some good old-fashioned detective work,” where officers recognized patterns between the local pharmacy break-ins.
Olympia’s Arrow Pharmacy at 3007 Limited Ln. NW reported a break-in on May 8, 2025, according to court documents. Pharmacy staff reported that around 6,817 dosage units of controlled substances were stolen, including Adderall, Oxycodone and Oxycontin, with a total purchase value of around $5,372.
The pharmacy’s surveillance video shows two subjects, believed to be Young and Wakgira, prying open two sets of double doors before entering the pharmacy. Their entrance triggered the pharmacy’s alarm. The two men exited the pharmacy minutes later, one carrying a packed black garbage bag.
Court documents show that Olympia police arrived on scene 20 minutes after the two suspects exited the pharmacy. Officers found a black glove inside Arrow Pharmacy, which a DNA test matched to Young.
Hawks Prairie Pharmacy in Lacey at 2539 Marvin Rd. NE, reported an attempted break-in on Sept. 13, 2025. Court documents say pharmacy staff reported that no controlled substances were stolen, although security footage shows two subjects believed to be Young and Wakgira forcing entrance to the pharmacy.
Sea Mar Pharmacy, located across the street from Arrow’s Pharmacy at 3030 Limited Ln. NW, reported a break-in on Feb. 24. According to court documents, 156 dosage units of Hydrocodone were stolen at a purchase value of $10.
Court documents allege that only Wakgira was involved in the Sea Mar Pharmacy break-in.
On March 22, Panorama Pharmacy reported a break-in where three bottles of codeine cough syrup were stolen. Court documents state the syrup had a purchase value of around $25. Panorama Pharmacy is located in Lacey at 1751 Circle Ln. SE.
Lacey police responded around 10 minutes after the alarm for the initial break-in and saw the doors were pried open. Court documents allege that only Wakgira was involved in the Panorama Pharmacy break-in.
This case is being investigated by the Seattle Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from Olympia Special Investigations Response Team, Olympia police and Lacey police, according to Tuesday’s news release.
Wakgira’s defense attorney declined to comment to The Olympian. Young’s defense did not respond to the request for a statement at the time of publication.