Gorham police make arrest in pharmacy robbery

Cumberland County Jail

Gorham police made an arrest on Sunday in connection with a pharmacy robbery reported earlier in the day.

The Community Pharmacy at 365 Main St. in Gorham reported an armed robbery in progress at 8:38 a.m., Lt. Chris Sanborn of Gorham Police said in a release. A man later identified as John J. Vernon Jr. demanded all the Oxycodone in the pharmacy.

He fled the pharmacy with Oxycodone and was caught a short time later by Gorham police, Sanborn said.

Pharmacy theft is an increasing problem fro Maine law enforcement Sanbord said

"This is a huge of problem for the state of Maine," Sanborn said. "At this point in time in the state of Maine we've already exceeded the number of armed robberies in pharmacy's for prescription medications past what we had for robberies last year. It's a huge problem and its definitely that both the state and local law enforcement need to get together and try to address before we actually have some people that are hurt."

Vernon, 28, of Saco, has been charged with three counts of armed robbery as well as theft, terrorizing, eluding an officer, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, criminal speed and operating after suspension.

He was taken to the Cumberland County Jail, Sanborn said.

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Gorham police make arrest in pharmacy robbery