Newport News Police Dept. Photo; Schlie, Sherman
Newport News, Va. – Two men are now behind bars after police say they robbed a pharmacy at gunpoint over the weekend.
On Saturday, March 2, 2013, just after 3:30 p.m., police responded to a business robbery call at the Rite Aid Pharmacy located at 10118 Warwick Blvd. in Newport News.
Pharmacy employees told police two white male suspects entered the business through the front door and ran directly to the back of the store. One suspect jumped over the prescription drug counter and ordered the Pharmacist to the narcotics safe at gun point, demanding all the Oxycontin in the business.
The first suspect, who had jumped over the pharmacy counter, is described to be a white male, 5’8, about 180-190 pounds, slim build, and in his twenties. The suspect was wearing a grey hooded sweat shirt, and a black mask covering the bottom half of his face.
The second suspect is described as a white male, 5’8-5’9, 190 pounds, medium build, in his twenties, and was wearing a black hooded sweat shirt with a black mask covering half of his face, with black sunglasses.
Police say the suspects took the prescription drugs and ran away from the business. A citizen outside the business saw the suspects enter a silver and grey colored 4-door model vehicle, described as a Subaru. The vehicle’s tag was given as Virginia tag WWJ-8957.
The vehicle and suspects drove northbound on Warwick Blvd. Several hours into the investigation, detectives positively identified the suspects.
Police arrested 22-year-old Robert Lee Schlie Jr., of the 100 block of Braddock Road in Williamsburg. Schlie was charged with Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, and the Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony.
Police then arrested 24-year-old Matthew Philip Sherman of the 400 block of Georgetown Loop in Newport News. Sherman was also charged with Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, and the Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony.
Both suspects remain in the custody of the Newport News City Jail.
Watch NewsChannel 3 for updates as they are available.
