A man who was wanted in connection with the robbery of the CVS Pharmacy at 1315 Virginia Ave. in Bristol, Tenn., on Aug. 14 and a Kroger pharmacy in Sevierville turned himself in to the Bristol Virginia Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday.
Robert Allen Payne, 38, Bristol, Tenn., was accused of robbing both pharmacies. According to the Bristol Tennessee Police Department, Payne also is a suspect in the theft of an extended-cab pickup truck from a former employer in Forsyth County, Ga.
In the CVS robbery, police said a man entered the store, went directly to the pharmacy counter, and handed the clerk a note demanding narcotics. The man was armed with what appeared to be a box cutter. He was given the pills and quickly left the store.
A witness said they saw the man get into an oldermodel red Chevrolet extended-cab pickup. After the robbery received news coverage, police received a tip naming Payne as a suspect. During the course of the investigation, the Kroger was robbed by a man using the same method and fitting Payne’s description.
As a result, Sevierville and Bristol police obtained warrants charging Payne with aggravated robbery. He will be extradited back to Sullivan County to stand trial for the CVS robbery charges.