Two charged in case of prescription fraud

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Manual Gonzalez

Pittsfield Police Officers started an investigation into the passing of fraudulent prescriptions at a local pharmacy, Dec. 19. It was determined through the investigation that two subjects had presented prescriptions for narcotics through an electronic system using fictitious patient names through fictitious doctor’s offices.
One subject arrived at the County Market Pharmacy to pick up the narcotic prescription, Dec. 23. Officers attempted to contact the suspect. The suspect ran from officers and was later apprehended in the 400 block of West Washington Street.
The second suspect fled from officers in a vehicle. Officers engaged in a short pursuit that ended on the west end of Pittsfield when the suspect pulled over and surrendered peacefully.
Pike County State’s Attorney Zack Boren has filed the following charges:
Michael O. Battista, 31, River Forest, has been charged with obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. Bond was set at $6,000.
Manual S. Gonzalez, 28, Romeoville, has been charged with two counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, and numerous traffic offenses. Bond was set at $6,000.
The Pittsfield Police Department was assisted by the County Market Pharmacy.
“Without a doubt, their time and effort helped stop these subjects from obtaining controlled substances in other areas,” Michael Starman, Pittsfield Police Chief, said.