SOUTH BEND — Local pharmacies are on edge after a string of prescription drug robberies. Police say the woman has hit at least three local drug stores in the last three weeks, demanding Oxycontin and other highly addictive drugs.

Many local pharmacy workers are worried it could happen to them next. But local pharmacy managers say it's all about prevention and being ready for anything.

"When I got into pharmacy, I never thought, 'Oh, I'm going to have to be a policeman too,'" said Mar-Main Pharmacy manager Ann Ziegart.

But lately, she's been paying more attention to her employees' safety.

"We not only have had the Oxycontin spree, but we've also been hit by the Memorial employee that was part of the Lane Bryant accident," Ziegart explained.

That's why Mar-Main has panic buttons behind the counter, emergency numbers by phones and bells on the front door.

They're trying to be prepared for the worst case scenario — a robbery. Police say three times in as many weeks, a woman walked into pharmacies in Granger, South Bend and Warsaw demanding highly addictive prescriptions.

"When we get a serial offender like this, they tend to keep on offending," explained South Bend Police Lt. Cindy Kilgore. "And the more they do it, the more confidence they gain."

Local pharmacy workers want to be ready for anything.

Ann Ziegart told WSBT she's been trying to work with her employer to look at the areas where the pharmacy might be most vulnerable.

She also said protection is about prevention. For example, at her pharmacy specifically, there are no more prescriptions on the shelf than what they need for their customers. She also had some advice for other local pharmacists.

"Check all your windows, areas where you have patient interactions," she suggested. "Make sure all your cameras are focused right, that they're working properly, they're on, that they're getting a good view of who's at your counter, your drive through."

Police say the woman they believe is responsible for the robberies is usually wearing a hooded sweatshirt and covering part of her face with a ski mask. Investigators describe her as a white woman, medium build, 5'3" - 5'5" tall, with blond hair.

If you have any information about this woman or these robberies, call Crime Stoppers at (574) 288-7867. You can also visit their website.