The Medicine Shop at 5800 Turner Rd. in north Nanaimo was the target of a break-in this morning (March 1).
The culprits smashed in the front door of the business at about 4 a.m. and made off with a safe.
Police are not disclosing what was in the safe, which was the only item taken.
Investigators also found a large, white plastic garbage can left inside the pharmacy that has a distinctive design of a spiderweb, spade and flames stenciled in black on its side.
Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said police hope the public can tell them where the garbage can came from, which could lead to who committed the break-in.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com.