WINTHROP — An Augusta man was arrested Monday in connection with last week’s robbery of a Rite Aid pharmacy on Peck Farm Road, police said.

The man, Anthony Mabe, 18, was arrested on a charge of robbery late in the morning by Winthrop police on Eastern Avenue in Augusta. Augusta police assisted at the scene.

Winthrop police were said they identified Mabe as the robbery suspect after investigating an anonymous tip. Police said the investigation into the robbery is ongoing.

The Rite Aid, at 16 Peck Farm Road, was robbed on Dec. 7 about 5:30 p.m. Police have previously said the robber threatened to use a weapon, but did not actually display one. The robber left the store with an undisclosed amount of drugs, likely fleeing on foot before getting into a vehicle, police said.

“I’m greatly concerned, the economy being what it is, that people are becoming more and more desperate and doing more desperate things,” said Police Chief Joseph E. Young Sr. “We believe this was drug-related, I’m afraid. What concerns me is the safety of the public and the safety of my police officers. This is a very dangerous thing to do and people are going to get hurt doing it, and they’re going to get caught.”

Young said other charges may be pending against Mabe. Young declined to comment on whether police believe Mabe actually had a weapon during the robbery, and he declined to say what drugs were taken from the Rite Aid.

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“We believe he acted alone,” Young said.

Young said police received an anonymous tip shortly after the robbery and Mabe was then identified as a suspect within 24 hours. Police investigated further and coordinated with Augusta police “to bring this to a successful conclusion,” Young said.

Young said he was pleased the public helped in the case and encouraged everyone to be alert and vigilant because “there’s a lot going on right now.”

Mabe was being held Monday at the Kennebec County jail in Augusta on $1,000 cash bail.


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