The brazen theft of a mass amount of narcotics from a Monroe pharmacy may be linked to several other similar incidents in Connecticut and beyond, according to Monroe Police Chief Keith White.

White told News 12 his detectives are now speaking with investigators at other police departments to confirm a connection.

"It probably is centralized to a group. We're still trying to work that out," White said.

The Rite Aid on Monroe Turnpike was hit Wednesday afternoon in what White called "a scary trend." He said four men wearing masks and hooded sweatshirts got behind the pharmacy counter and "overwhelmed staff" – ordering them to open the safe.

"They knew what they were looking for, and they stole all the narcotic pills from the pharmacy," White recounted. He told News 12 more than 5000 pills were stolen, worth an estimated $100,000. "It's quite an expensive loss for these pharmacies."

He said four employees were working in the pharmacy at the time and no one was hurt.

"There's no weapon shown, but there is an implied threat…" he explained.

It was reminiscent of the scene that played out at a Rite Aid in Milford on June 22 when thieves jumped the counter and demanded the pharmacist open the safe. In that case also, no weapon was shown. Milford police said they got away with an estimated $15,000 worth of narcotics.

Shoppers News 12 spoke with at the time were stunned. "For this to happen makes me sick," said one customer. Another added, "Kinda scary stuff, and I feel for the employees."

The same crew is believed to have hit Walgreens stores in New Haven and Orange earlier in the day, stealing pills from one and cough syrup with codeine from the other. A theft at a pharmacy in West Haven was initially thought to be linked, but West Haven police have since said it's not connected. White said detectives have also been in touch with departments in New York who've seen pharmacy thefts.

In all the cases, police were called after the suspects left. In Monroe, they were seen getting into a black Volkswagen Jetta, but responding officers were unable to find it.