BLAINE, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A man is in custody following a robbery at a Blaine pharmacy that sent an employee to the hospital.

The Blaine Police Department says officers were called to a report of a strong-arm robbery in progress at Rite Aid at around 8 p.m. on Oct. 17.

The suspect had already left by the time they arrived, but assisting Whatcom County Sheriff’s deputies were able to identify him with the help of witnesses.

A deputy later detained the suspect after tracking down his van in Birch Bay. A jacket found in the van matched surveillance footage of the suspect, who was also found with blood on his hands.

The suspect, identified as 53-year-old David Brink, later confessed to stealing a bottle of vodka from the store and attacking an employee who tried to stop him. The employee was taken to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center to be treated for minor injuries.

Brink was arrested and charged on accounts of robbery, assault and theft. He remains at the Whatcom County Jail without bail.