Walgreens at Capitol and Teutonia closes early, leaving customers, workers stunned

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Walgreens near Teutonia and Capitol has closed its doors sooner than expected. A Walgreens representative said it was due to ongoing criminal activity at that store.

Last month, Walgreens announced the store near Teutonia and Capitol would permanently shut its doors Jan. 15, making it one of the 150 stores nationwide closing to cut costs. Customers and workers were surprised to see that closure came sooner than expected.

"I didn’t know that it was closed, just out of nowhere," said longtime customer Tony Thomas.

The reason for its sudden closing was because of a spike in thefts and threats towards employees once the closure announcement was made, Alderwoman Andrea Pratt said in a Nextdoor app post.

"I've seen it, I was there. That people stealing, running out," said customer Carlos Battle.

According to MPD call records, since our initial report on the Walgreens closure on Dec. 19, to Jan. 2, police have responded to 17 calls which include business checks and threats against an officer.

"A lot of people was coming in saying we closing, might as well take it for free,'" said Walgreens security guard L.L. Wootie.

Walgreens representative Samantha Stansberry released a statement, saying in part, "The safety of our patients, customers and team members is our priority."

Some argue this closure will make it difficult to access health care, medicine, and other essentials in the community.

Alderwoman Pratt says Walgreens is currently looking into the possibility of free home delivery for prescriptions. She said there may be restrictions from Medicare, depending on medication.

Stansberry said prescriptions automatically transfer to the nearest Walgreens. The closest Walgreens to Teutonia and Capitol is a 45-minute walk.