Crime & Safety
Bradenton Woman Forges Prescriptions For 270 Pills, Police Say
The woman tried to get three doctor's scripts filled at three different Tarpon Springs pharmacy locations last week.
This story was reported and written by Tarpon Springs Patch Local Editor Rachel Jolley.
A Bradenton woman is accused of forging prescriptions for pills at three Tarpon Springs pharmacies, according to police.
Lana LaForest, 61, was arrested by Tarpon Springs Police and charged with three felonies on July 4.
Police say that around 1 p.m., LaForest was able to get 180 Lorazepam pills after duping two local pharmacies, Pegasus Pharmacy at 1992 S. Pinellas Ave. and Tarpon Discount Drugs at 742 S. Pinellas Ave., before being arrested at a third location, Anclote Pharmacy at 1933 N. Pinellas Ave.
She had three scripts, each with a prescribed quantity of 90 pills.
It was only after the third pharmacist checked the FDLE Pharmacy Database that LaForest was found out.
The database showed that LaForest had already filled the same prescription with the same quantity three times in the last month.
LaForest used a fake name on a prescription from a Dr. Lance Cohen. When approached by officers, Cohen said "he did not write the prescriptions and it was fraudulent."
Tarpon PD arrived at Anclote Pharmacy after being notified by the pharmacy and arrested LaForest on the spot while she was waiting for the prescription to be filled.
According to the arrest affidavit, LaForest admitted to police the prescriptions were forged and the alias she had been using was not her real name.
LaForest was charged with three felony counts of obtaining or attempting to obtain a controlled substance and was bonded out for $15,000.
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