AUGUSTA — A brief standoff between police and a man who reportedly robbed a city pharmacy and then barricaded himself in the bathroom ended peacefully Tuesday.

The attempted robbery resulted in the Rite Aid’s evacuation after the man said he had an explosive device, police said.

“He indicated he had chemicals and would blow the place up,” said Augusta Police Lt. Christopher Massey.

Dylan Karczewski, 19, had no such device and he was taken to MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta to receive medical clearance before being criminally charged, according to Massey.

Karczewski was later charged with robbery, thef and unlawful possession of sccheduled drugs, Massey said.

Massey said nobody was injured in the standoff.

The robbery was reported about 5 p.m. at the Rite Aid at 2007 North Belfast Ave. Karczewski, who did not have a weapon, demanded prescription medication, according to Massey.

He was given drugs and then ran into the store’s bathroom and barricaded himself inside, Massey said.

Augusta police and fire/rescue officials converged on the store, which is at the corner of Bangor Street and North Belfast Avenue. Police evacuated the building’s customers and employees, and they consulted with officers from the Augusta Police Special Response Team and the Maine State Police Tactical Team, Massey said.

Police broke into the bathroom and took the man into custody without incident about 5:30 p.m. Massey said there was no evidence Karczewski possessed any explosive chemicals. Police did find some of the drugs on Karczewski’s person and in the bathroom, Massey said.

It’s the third time this year the Rite Aid store has been robbed.

Carmine Anthony Fazzi Jr., 19, has been convicted in connection with a robbery there Feb. 20. The Rite Aid was held up May 4, and no charges have been filed in that case. 

Craig Crosby — 621-5642
ccrosby@centralmaine.com

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