PORTLAND, WESTBROOK

Police investigate robberies of drugs from pharmacies

Portland police are investigating a possible link between two robberies that took place Sunday at drug stores.

Lt. James Sweatt said a man fitting the description of a suspect who robbed the Rite Aid Pharmacy in Westbrook around 9 a.m. is likely the same man who robbed the Shaw’s pharmacy at the Northgate Shopping Center in Portland late Sunday afternoon.

Sweatt said the suspect demanded drugs before fleeing on foot. Sweatt declined to say whether the robber was armed or what he took.

Westbrook police Capt. Tom Roth said a white man in his 20s entered the Rite Aid on Main Street and presented a note to an employee saying he had gun – although no gun was shown. The employee handed over an undisclosed amount of drugs to the suspect, who was last seen running toward Seavey Street. Police canvassed the area, but were unable to locate the suspect.

He was described as 6 feet tall with a gaunt face. Westbrook police urge anyone with information to contact them at 854-0644, ext. 420.

Multilingual program hosts dance party fundraiser

The multilingual program in Portland’s public schools will host the fifth annual Rock Around the World dance party fundraiser on Friday at the Italian Heritage Center, 40 Westland Ave., Portland.

The program now serves about 60 language groups and immigrants make up more than one-quarter of student enrollment.

The event will run from 7 to 11 p.m. and feature a silent auction and international food, music and dancing, as well as dance instruction.

Tickets are $25 each. A limited number will be available at the door for $30. Tickets are also available in blocks of 10 for a table.

Call 874-8135 to buy tickets or get involved.

Deering High speakers excel during recent competitions

Several members of the Deering High School speech and debate team distinguished themselves in recent competitions.

Sarina Selleck won the Junior Varsity State Championship in Lincoln-Douglas debate.

In the same category, Jean McCabe qualified for the Catholic Forensic League National Championship Tournament in Omaha, Neb., on May 28-30.

McCabe also qualified for the National Forensic League National Championship Tournament in Kansas City, Mo., on June 13-18.

Noah Finberg also qualified for the Catholic Forensic League Nationals, in the category of extemporaneous speaking.

SANFORD

Robbery suspect gets drugs from Hannaford pharmacy

Sanford police are investigating an armed robbery Sunday at the Hannaford pharmacy on Main Street.

Police said a white man in his 20s entered the store around 5:30 p.m. and demanded that the employee hand over drugs, including OxyContin.

Authorities said the man, who was said to be armed, was driving a 2006 silver Honda Accord with New Hampshire license plates.

The suspect was described as having brown hair and wearing a sweatshirt, and about 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds.

HARRINGTON

Two men charged with assaulting census workers

Two men in Maine face charges in separate incidents for allegedly assaulting two women who were working for the U.S. Census Bureau.

Wesley Storer, 61, of Bar Harbor was arrested Monday and charged with criminal restraint, assault and theft in an incident at an apartment building he owns, police said.

Police said Storer was intoxicated when he ripped the identification badge off a census worker’s lanyard. The 50-year-old woman was then blocked from leaving the building by Storer, police said.

On Friday, a Brooksville man was summoned for assaulting a census worker on his doorstep, police said. James Swift, 53, was charged with simple assault after the U.S. Census office reported that one of its workers, a 39-year-old female, had been grabbed and pushed by the man.

Police said the woman left census papers in a bag on the doorknob, and that Swift opened the door, grabbed the woman by her wrist and pushed her backward.