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November 14, 2006

NEW LOCAL: Man charged with stealing prescription drugs

A New Castle man was charged for allegedly taking prescription drugs from another man.

Police were notified of a robbery in progress in the 400 block of Pearson Street around 2:15 p.m. Thursday. The victim told police he is acquainted with the robber, and identified him as Mark Lawrence. He also provided a physical description and said Lawrence had a handgun.

Pennsylvania State Police recognized Lawrence, 33, of 1511 Morris St., from the victim’s description and stopped his vehicle on East Street. They searched him and found a pill cutter and a pill bottle with the victim’s name on it. Police also seized a cap gun Lawrence had told them was under the front seat.

In the bottle and cutter were 28 white tablets marked Methadose 10, 30 blue tablets marked A 215, six blue tablets marked A 215 and three green tablets marked ABG 80. Police said the pills are prescription medications that can be abused.

The victim said Lawrence knocked on his door, and he opened it and told Lawrence to leave. Lawrence then showed him a handgun in his waistband, the victim said, grabbed him by the neck, threw him to the ground, took the pills from his pocket and ran.

New Castle police took Lawrence to the station, where the victim identified him. Lawrence was charged with robbery and released on his own recognizance. He was later lodged in the Lawrence County jail on $2,500 bond, on two bench warrants for failure to appear.

Lawrence’s preliminary hearing is set for Thursday.

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