Man, son blame each other in pharmacy robbery

TWIN FALLS (AP) - A Twin Falls man and his 17-year-old son are blaming each other for a pharmacy robbery.

Dana P. Merrick and his son were charged Friday for the March 10 robbery of a Kmart pharmacy. Merrick's bail was set at $100,000 on charges of robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery. His son's bail was set at $75,000, The Times-News reports.

Charging documents say Merrick, 38, acted as a "lookout" while his teenage son approached the pharmacist with a note saying he had a gun and demanding prescription narcotics. The teen also demanded money, according to authorities. The pharmacist complied, court records said.

Officers say the case was solved when the alleged getaway driver was arrested on suspicion of robbing a pharmacy in South Ogden, Utah. No charges have been filed against him.

Police questioned Merrick and his son on Thursday.

Court records say Merrick told investigators he went to Kmart with his son but didn't know the robbery was going to take place. The teen told officers his father handed him the note and told him to rob the pharmacy.

Preliminary hearings for both Merrick and his son are set for June 20. Public defenders were appointed for both on Friday, according to Idaho court records.