TROUTDALE, Ore. -- Police are seeking a would-be robber who threatened to 'start shooting' after demanding painkillers at a pharmacy but then gave the pills back.

According to police, the incident happened Monday morning at the pharmacy inside the Albertson's store on southeast Stark Street in Troutdale.

The attempted robbery was caught on surveillance video, but the footage has police scratching their heads.

Police said the thief, described as a thin, white man in his 20s, was after one thing -- 80 mg Oxycontin prescription painkillers.

In the surveillance footage, the man can be seen walking in at about 10:30 a.m. Police said he began by telling the pharmacy technician that he wanted insulin but quickly changed his request to Oxycontin while telling the worker he had a gun.

Police said the worker began searching for the painkillers but couldn't find them. Instead, she found a generic version of the painkiller worth $1,100, which she handed to the man. Police said the man then gave the bottle back and demanded the real thing.

While the worker began searching again for the pills, the man then told another worker he was going to “start shooting” if the technician didn't hurry up. Police said he never showed the gun and did not follow through on his threat.

The man left empty-handed, police said.

After learning of the incident, many customers said they were unnerved.

“It's just out of hand,” said Judy Norby. “I think it's crazy. Absolutely crazy.”

Still, many customers said they were not surprised to hear the man had a gun. In fact, some said they have begun to hear that threat more often.

“I think it's not surprising,” said Tish Backman, a customer. “It's kind of been a trend.”

Earlier in the year, Walgreen's installed time lock safes in every Washington store to protect the painkillers and deter robbers.

“High street value,” said Backman, of the painkillers. “It's an easy way to make money. It's not like something you have to get across the border, like cocaine or marijuana.”

Police said they aren't sure why the would-be robber gave back the painkillers, but said they are glad he did.

The man remains at large, but police have released the video surveillance footage and a description to help track him down.

Anyone who recognizes the man is asked to contact the Troutdale police.

Would-Be Thief Demands Pills, Returns Them