Authorities from the foothills to Huntersville are working together to figure out if a string of unsolved pharmacy robberies are connected.

Those investigators met for more than an hour Tuesday, going over all of the unsolved pharmacy robbery cases in the area.

Investigators from nearly every agency in Catawba and Alexander counties, plus the town of Stanley, shared surveillance photos. They are working to identify a woman who police said went into a CVS in Newton on Sunday, demanding Oxycontin.

Police are also hoping to talk with a man who was seen arriving and leaving the store at nearly the same time as the robber.

The chief said the prescription drug problem is leading not only to robberies but also other types of crime.

“This seems to be the item of choice in break-ins, robberies and thefts,” said Newton Police Chief Don Brown. “You have break-ins where they are not taking any jewelry or valuables.    What they are trying to find is the actual prescription drugs."

Besides comparing surveillance videos, investigators also compared notes the suspects gave the clerks to see if there are any similarities.