MANCHESTER — Police are investigating a report of a robbery at a U.S. Route 202 store this morning.

A young man robbed the Rite Aid Pharmacy in Manchester around 11 a.m., and fled on foot after he demanded oxycodone, Maine State Police spokesman Steve McCausland said.

The suspect was given an unspecified quantity of prescription drug and fled toward the back of the building and in the direction of the Manchester Town Hall, McCausland said.

Manchester Elementary School, adjacent to Rite Aid, was put into lock down shortly after the robbery,  Manchester Town Manager Pat Gilbert said. Approximately 30 children, plus paid staff, were at the school taking part in the summer recreation program.

Two police officers stationed outside the school checked parents who entered the school to retrieve their children. All of the children were gone shortly after noon, Gilbert said.

McCausland said the robber is described as 5 feet, 7 inches tall wearing a black sweatshirt, blue jeans and sneakers. 

Witnesses think the robber was armed, but no gun was shown, McCausland said.  

Troopers, Game Wardens and a state police dog searched for the suspect. That search continued into this afternoon. 


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