A pharmacist faces criminal charges for stealing hydrocodone and oxycodone from work.

Ala Al-Lozi, 28, of the 12800 block of Polo Parc Drive in Maryland Heights, was charged Feb. 7 with stealing a controlled substance.

St. Louis County Police said a Walgreens internal investigation revealed Al-Lozi stole painkillers from various Walgreen stores where she worked from December 2010 through December 2012.

Investigators confronted Al-Lozi at the end of her shift Dec. 4 at the Walgreens in Spanish Lake at 12098 Lusher Avenue. She admitted the thefts and said she had stolen 80 hydrocodone pills on that shift. The pills were in her pocket.

Al-Lozi told police she began stealing painkillers for her own use after becoming addicted to them during an illness.

Al-Lozi posted 10 percent of a $10,000 bond and was released from St. Louis County jail Friday, the same day she was arrested for the charge.

For more information on Maryland Heights Patch, see the following articles:

• Burglar Stole Ritalin and Cash, Maryland Heights Police Say
• Theft of Lab Mice Truck was Heroin-Fueled, Police Say
• Ex-Harrah's Employee Caught Stealing Drugs From Co-worker