LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake County Sheriff's deputies have arrested a Lakeport man on suspicion of committing an armed robbery at a pharmacy Wednesday morning.
Craig Anthony Lent, 25, was arrested for the robbery, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.
At 9:15 a.m. Wednesday sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a reported armed robbery at the North Lake Medical Pharmacy, which is located at 5136 Hill Road East in Lakeport, Brooks said.
Brooks said it was reported that a male subject entered the pharmacy brandishing a large knife.
The subject walked behind the pharmacy counter, grabbed the pharmacist, placed the knife to the pharmacist’s throat and demanded Dialaudid, a narcotic prescribed for pain relief, according to Brooks.
After obtaining the medication, the male subject was reported to have fled on foot, running eastbound towards Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Brooks said.
Brooks said witnesses described the man as possibly being a white male adult who was wearing a bandana over his face. He also was reported to be wearing a red flannel shirt, jeans and tennis shoes.
Deputies arrived on scene within minutes of the 911 call and were able to form a perimeter of the immediate area, Brooks said.
A short time later they located Lent, who matched the description of the subject who had held up the pharmacy. Brooks said Lent was located on Terrace Avenue with prescription pill bottles taken from the pharmacy.
Clothing matching the description given to Central Dispatch was found near the area where Lent was located, Brooks said.
Detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit interviewed Lent, who admitted to robbing the pharmacy, Brooks reported. Lent said he robbed the pharmacy due to being addicted to pain medication.
Lent was arrested for armed robbery, burglary, possession of stolen property and brandishing a dangerous weapon. He was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, Brooks said.
Jail records indicated Lent – whose occupation is listed as thrift store supervisor – is being held on $150,000 bail.