An Aulander man was charged this morning with using a winch to rip the door off a Rich Square pharmacy where, once inside, he allegedly stole more than $20,000 worth of prescription painkillers.

At this point the man, Ernest Lee Lane, has only been charged with the breaking and entering of Futrell's Pharmacy Services on Main Street, police Chief Alan Roye said. Charges dealing specifically with the theft of the drugs will be filed and the federal Drug Enforcement Agency is expected to assist.

Around 5:30 this morning Roye said Lieutenant Kevin Byrd responded to an alarm call and found a Ford pickup lying on its side in a big ditch on Maple Street.

Lane was found in the truck and taken out by Byrd and Deputy Doug Mann of the Northampton County Sheriff's Office who came to assist.

Byrd checked the rear door of the pharmacy and found it had been ripped from its hinges and also found extensive damage to an air conditioning unit at the rear of the business and a propane tank turned over.

It was found that the suspect used his truck and a winch to rip the door open and move the air conditioner unit and propane tank out of his way. After the truck was pulled from the ditch Roye found more than $20,000 worth of prescription medications hidden behind the rear seat that were stolen from the pharmacy. Lane was placed in the Northampton County Detention Center under a $16,000 bond and charged with felony breaking, entering and larceny and injury to real property.

Roye said it appears painkillers were specifically targeted.