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Citizen tip leads to arrest of drug store robbery suspect

MAIDEN — According to a release from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, a tip from a concerned citizen led to the arrest of a Lincoln County man connected to a drug store robbery.

Police arrested Ross Bradford Brown, 28, of Maiden, for the June 2 robbery of TAS Drugs in Maiden.

Deputies received a call around 7 p.m. Friday that someone wanted to talk to them about the robbery. Officers from Maiden police and the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office went to the residence off Highway 150 East.

Officers spoke with the occupants of the residence, including Brown, and were given consent to search the house and a car. They located $1,400 in cash, and a trafficking amount of Oxycodone and Suboxone in the suspect's bedroom. Deputies also seized a small amount of marijuana and other items from the home.

According to the release, the suspect ran from the residence during the investigation. He was captured following a short foot chase through a wooded area. Some of the drugs stolen from the drug store were recovered.

The suspect is accused of taking Oxycodone and Suboxone films valued at $2,500 from the TAS Drugs store. Maiden police said he gave the pharmacy staff a threatening note declaring he had a gun and demanded the staff give him certain specific controlled substance medication.

Brown has been charged with one felony count each of robbery with a dangerous weapon and trafficking in opium or heroin. He was placed in the Lincoln County Detention Center under a $150,000 secured bond. He is also under a $200,000 secured bond for the robbery and is on hold for Catawba County.