TORONTO — A man who allegedly forced his way into the back area of a local pharmacy Wednesday has been charged with burglary and felony theft of drugs.

Louis G. Mitchell, 37, of 1503 Madison Ave., faces the charges following his arrest by City Police Wednesday afternoon.

City Police Chief Charley Daniels said Mitchell had demanded a prescription medication from staff at the Walgreens Pharmacy on Franklin Street who, finding him to be behaving in an erratic manner, refused.

Daniels said pharmacy staff said Mitchell left but returned a short time later and climbed over the counter to enter the pharmacists’ work area.

City Police Capt. Derek Piatt said Mitchell began searching shelves there, ignoring a pharmacist’s order to leave.

He said the pharmacy’s staff left the area but watched Mitchell from a distance while one called 911.

City Police arrived and took Mitchell into custody.

Piatt said, “The Walgreens’ employees remained unbelievably calm during a high stress situation. Their reaction kept the subject calm, which allowed police time to respond.”

Mitchell is slated for arraignment Tuesday in Wintersville county court.