DRESDEN

Augusta police, acting on tips from the public, arrested a man they believe is behind two robberies this week at the Shaw’s pharmacy on Western Avenue.

Ryan McLaughlin, 26, of Dresden was identified as the suspect shortly after Augusta police made public a surveillance camera image captured during one of the robberies, which occurred on Monday and Wednesday.

McLaughlin was arrested by Augusta police, who were assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Deputy Chief Jared Mills of the Augusta Police Department said Thursday in a news release.

Mills said McLaughlin cooperated with authorities and was taken into custody because he was wanted on existing arrest warrants unrelated to the pharmacy robberies. McLaughlin is being held at the Cumberland County Jail on federal charges in connection with the two Shaw’s pharmacy robberies.

Mills said earlier this week that the suspect used threatening notes to obtain OxyContin pills. No weapon was shown in either the robbery, he said.

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