Baltimore police are investigating a spate of commercial robberies involving the abduction of employees with access to the store safe.

The most recent incident occurred about 11 p.m. Thursday when a CVS Pharmacy manager was abducted by two gunmen in ski masks who approached him at his Baltimore County home, according to Baltimore Police Agent Ragina L. Cooper.

The men forced the manager to drive back to his pharmacy in the 5500 block of Park Heights Ave. and open the safe. The robbers made off with an undisclosed amount of money.

Pharmacies haven't been the only targets. Supermarkets and check-cashing businesses have been hit too, Cooper said. Six incidents have been reported in all.

"In all cases, the suspects ordered the victims into their vehicle at gunpoint and demanded that they be taken to the victim's workplace," Cooper said.

"Once at the destination, the suspects ordered the employees to open the safe. After the victims complied, the suspects took money and fled the area," Cooper said.

The first abduction occurred Dec. 17. No injuries have been reported, Cooper said.

Anyone with information should call the Police Department's robbery unit at 410-396-2636.

Pub Date: 6/20/99