A Connecticut company that monitors thefts and abuse of prescription drugs has donated a cash reward for information regarding an armed robbery at a Mount Airy pharmacy last week.

The firm has pledged to pay up to $1,000, through its RxPATROL program, for details leading to an arrest in the Nov. 3 incident at Gates Pharmacy at 364 N. South St. A man wearing a cowboy hat walked into the front door of the business that afternoon, displayed a handgun and demanded drugs, Mount Airy police have said.

OxyContin tablets valued at $2,209 were reported stolen during the robbery, which resulted in no injuries to store personnel. The robber fled on foot and remains at large.

In the wake of the incident, Purdue Pharma L.P. — a pharmaceutical company based in Stamford, Conn. — has put up the reward. It is being handled through Mount Airy-Surry County Crimestoppers, which is housed at the city police department.

“Actually, Crimestoppers will write the check, up to that amount,” Lt. Jim Armbrister said of the money offered through the RxPATROL program of Purdue Pharma L.P.

The Crimestoppers board of directors will weigh any information leading to an arrest as to its usefulness and pay an appropriate reward, according to Armbrister, who works with Crimestoppers in his role as an officer in the police Community Services Division.

Anyone with details on the robbery or the suspect is asked to call the Crimestoppers Hotline at 786-4000 or the Mount Airy Police Department at 786-3535.

“It’s important for people to know that all information that we get is kept completely confidential,” said a police spokesperson. “The Crimestoppers tip line does not use any tape-recording or caller-ID devices.”

The man who committed the robbery is described as about 6 feet tall and is believed to be in his 40s. He also had a mustache at the time of the incident and was wearing a brown coat in addition to the cowboy hat.

He is considered armed and dangerous.

RxPATROL is a collaborative effort between industry, pharmacists and law enforcement to collect, collate, analyze and disseminate information on drug thefts.

Purdue Pharma L.P. conceived, developed and funded the information clearinghouse for data related to drugstore robberies, burglaries and larcenies that involve the loss of controlled substances.

RxPATROL stands for Pattern Analysis Tracking Robberies and Other Losses.

Contact Tom Joyce at tjoyce@mtairynews.com or at 719-1924.