Suspect Arrested in CVS Pharmacy Robbery

Update:

Criminal charges against Ryan Albertson - who was arrested as a suspect in the April 24 robbery of a CVS Pharmacy - have been dismissed and a new suspect has been charged with that holdup and the robbery of another CVS on June 7, Lawrence police announced on July 11, 2012.

Original Story:

Lawrence Township police have confirmed that a Hamilton Township man was arrested earlier today (Friday, May 4) in connection with the in the 1900 block of Brunswick Pike (Business Route 1), at the corner of Cherry Tree Lane.

Police actually identified 24-year-old Ryan D. Albertson as the suspect within hours of the robbery and obtained a warrant for his arrest, police department spokesman Lt. Charles Edgar said. But Albertson, whose last known address was on Parent Avenue in Hamilton, managed to elude capture by fleeing the state, he said.

Today, however, Albertson returned to Lawrence Township and, accompanied by his attorney, surrendered at the township police station, Edgar said. Albertson was charged with robbery and theft and was being transferred this afternoon to the Mercer County Correction Center in Hopewell Township in lieu of $150,000 bail, he said.

Police allege that Albertson entered the CVS a little before 2 p.m. on April 24, approached the pharmacy counter and displayed a note in which he threatened that he had a gun and wanted Oxycodone.

After being given a $500 bottle of the pain killers by a pharmacist, he fled the store, police allege. While the threat of a gun was allegedly made in the note, police said no weapon was ever seen during the holdup.

Detective Todd Caruso was the lead investigator for township police.