HOLLIS, Maine — An arrest has been made in a string of robberies in York County, but a search continues for a second suspect.
On June 7 at about 11:55 a.m., the Buxton Communications Center received a report about a robbery at the Main Street Variety store located at 123 Main St. in Buxton. The person who reported the incident said a man entered the store, approached the clerk with a handgun, and demanded the cash drawer, the York County Sheriff's Office said Thursday in a Facebook post.
The caller said the man then left the store and fled the area in a silver Nissan Frontier with New Hampshire plates, the sheriff's office said.
Deputies said Buxton police alongside several other agencies began searching for the suspect vehicle in the area, as well as investigating evidence at the scene.
On Monday, Buxton police discovered the suspect vehicle on an abandoned railroad bed off of River Road. It was determined the vehicle was unoccupied and had been stolen out of Gorham. According to the sheriff's office, the vehicle was secured and evidence was collected from it.
Then, at about 1 p.m. Wednesday, a bank robbery was reported at the Gorham Savings Bank on Sokokis Trail in Waterboro, deputies said.
Buxton police, York County deputies, and state police worked together with K-9 tracking and manpower in the area of Hollis. Deputies said the bank robbery suspect reportedly fled on a dirt bike and was spotted in Hollis where they fled from state troopers.
A Buxton police K-9 team began tracking at the suspect's last known location, and during the search, several pieces of evidence were discovered in the woods, including a handgun, according to the sheriff's office.
As of Thursday, the sheriff's office said both robberies appear similar.
Following further investigation, a suspect was identified and a search ensued.
At about 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, a detective with Buxton police was investigating the area of Plains Road in Hollis when he encountered the suspect in the robberies, deputies said.
The detective, as well as a detective sergeant with the sheriff's office, tried to speak with the suspect but the suspect reportedly fled in a vehicle toward Buxton on Plains Road.
Shortly after, a Buxton police officer in the area of the West Buxton bridge observed the suspect passing. The officer then attempted to stop the vehicle, but the suspect failed to stop, according to the Facebook post.
"The vehicle eluded officers and crashed on Mary Jane Road in Buxton," the post stated. "The two occupants of the vehicle fled from the vehicle on foot. A short foot pursuit ensued, and the officers were able to corner the suspect on the back porch of a residence. The suspect was taken into custody a short time later."
The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Timothy Riley of Westbrook, was charged with two counts of robbery, felon in possession of a firearm, eluding officers, and a probation violation.
Deputies identified a second suspect in the robberies as 37-year-old Kyle Allman of Hollis. Warrants for his arrest are pending.
Officials ask anyone who may know the location of Allman to contact your local police department or call 9-1-1.
The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and Maine Warden Service assisted in this investigation.
