A series of brazen armed robberies occurred in Machias shortly after 9 a.m. on Monday, September 19. A local man, Devon Andrews, 41, of Cutler, was arrested soon after the robberies.
According to Machias Police Chief Grady Dwelley, shortly after 9 a.m. a call was received that a robbery was in progress at the Main Street Discount store. Multiple law enforcement units responded and, after receiving a description of the suspect, fanned out in search of a white male who fled on foot. He was described as being in his late 20s, 5'9" in height and weighing approximately 180 pounds.
     It was while on scene that a second call came in indicating that a person matching the description of the suspect was observed on the campus of the University of Maine at Machias. Police quickly responded, combing the entire area and securing buildings. It was then that another call was received that a second armed robbery was in progress at the Camden National Bank on Dublin Street. Responding to that call, and after a quick review of bank video, personnel from the sheriff's department detained a person on School Street fitting the description given at the scene of the first robbery. Cash and drugs were found on the individual, Devon Andrews, and a background check revealed he was currently out on bail.
     Andrews was arrested for drug possession and bail infraction, and he was remanded to the Washington County Jail pending further investigation. No amount was given on the recovered cash.
The following day Andrews also was charged with robbery for the armed hold-up of the bank, during his initial court appearance. Additional charges may be filed, including one in connection with the Main Street Discount robbery. Bail was set at $50,000 cash.
     Responding to questions on the potential for multiple perpetrators and any other relevant information, Chief Dwelley said, "We still have a lot of to the public." information to gather so we can accurately piece this together. There may have been more people involved in this, so for now we need to be careful with what information we release