THOMASVILLE — A suspect in a prescription-fraud case left local pharmacies twice before narcotics agents arrived.

Thomas County/Thomasville Narcotics/Vice Division agents were called by a Thomasville pharmacist about a man presenting a prescription for pain medication.

“The pharmacist said he would have to verify the prescription, at which time (Shawn) Hart left,” said Kevin Lee, narcotics/vice commander.

Agents notified the Brooks County physician whose name was on the prescription. The physician told officers she did not write the prescription and that a former employee had stolen a prescription pad.

Meanwhile, agents learned from other Thomasville pharmacists that the former employee, Donna Jean Sapp, 42, of 2868 Madison Highway, Quitman, had presented prescriptions for pain, sleep and anti-anxiety medications.

“She passed four prescriptions at one pharmacy,” Lee said.

Also, the commander said, Sapp and Hart, 27, of Eason Crossing, Boston, had attempted to pass prescriptions at yet another pharmacy.

“It was written in the same doctor’s name,” Lee added.

Agents planned to arrest the couple when they arrived to pick up a prescription.

“They left before we could get there. We later arrested them,” Lee said.

Sapp is charged with four counts of first-degree forgery and four counts of obtaining drugs by fraud.

Hart is charged with two counts of criminal attempt, two counts of first-degree forgery and four counts of obtaining drugs by fraud.

“We’re still checking pharmacies in Thomas County to see if they’ve passed prescriptions,”” Lee said.

He explained that charges such as those on the couple often result when someone becomes addicted to a medication. “And it’s usually pain medication,” he added.

“We have no indication they were selling the pills. To the best of our knowledge, they were taking them,” Lee said.