See the video here on WMUR’s site. Here’s the text of the report:
KEENE, N.H. — Two witnesses helped police track down and arrest a man charged with robbing a Keene pharmacy at knifepoint.
Police said a man robbed the Apothecary Pharmacy at about 5 p.m. on Monday. Police said he left with painkillers and was spotted by at least two men nearby.
“Basically, he came right out the door and was running, so I followed him into the alleyway,” said witness James Schlessinger.
Schlessinger openly carries a gun and said he wasn’t concerned about the possibility of the man having a weapon.
“I was armed and I wasn’t so scared because his attention wasn’t so much on other people as it was running away,” Schlessinger said.
Schlessinger said he never had to pull the gun. He said that he also got a good look at the man when whatever was covering his face fell off as he ran.
Local painter Michael Steever had just finished cashing a check at a nearby bank when he saw the incident.
“I was coming out of the bank, and I saw them running down the alley,” Steever said.
The self-proclaimed thrill junkie said he followed without hesitation.
“I thought we were in a movie at first,” he said. “I looked around to see if there were cameras coming. I thought they were making a movie. That’s what it seemed like.”
When the suspected robber got to a car at the end of the alley, Schlessinger memorized the plate number while Steever got in his own car and tailed the man.
“I got right on with the Keene Police Department and told them every turn I was taking, speeds and description,” Steever said. “They didn’t even realize he was in a car. They thought he was still on foot.”
Within a few minutes, police showed up and arrested Ross Knowles Taylor, 48. Officers took him back to the pharmacy, where Schlessinger identified him.
“The facial hair was very distinct, and I looked for that as soon as I saw his face in the car,” Schlessinger said. “It was a match to what I remembered.”
The two witnesses said they would do the same thing again.
“This is a family town here,” Steever said. “I was raised here, and I just hope someone would do the same for me if I needed it.”
“Just because someone isn’t harming us doesn’t mean we shouldn’t look out for someone next to us,” Schlessinger said.
The pharmacy clerk who was robbed said the incident was scary, but she’s thankful for everyone’s quick response. She said the pharmacy has been robbed before, but never during the day with people inside.
