Cops: Man posed as reporter during robbery attempt

A New Jersey man is accused of attempting to rob a pharmacy, then concocting a cover story about working as a news reporter when his purported scheme failed.

Brandon Rivera, 28, allegedly handed a note demanding oxycodone pills to a pharmacist at a Little Egg Harbor Township Walgreens Thursday afternoon.

Police said that when Rivera realized he wasn't going to get the painkillers, he told employees he was a reporter researching a story and left the store.

Workers were able to get Rivera's vehicle registration number and turned the information over to police. Police said an investigation revealed that Rivera was not a news reporter, but a Galloway Township resident who had served prison time for drug offenses.

Rivera was arrested Saturday at his home and charged with robbery. He is imprisoned at the Ocean County Jail on $50,000 bail.

Rivera has previously been convicted of narcotics possession and obtaining a controlled dangerous substance by fraud, court documents state.