LEWISTON — One of two robbery suspects remained jailed Wednesday, accused of using strong-arm tactics in an attempt to rob a pair of pedestrians in the downtown area Tuesday morning.

Thomas Andrew Farrington, 29, of Oxford Street, remained at the Androscoggin County Jail in Auburn where he was being held on two counts of robbery and trafficking in prison contraband.

The second suspect, 23-year-old Darren Joseph Lovejoy, of 149 Buckfield Road, Turner, made bail Tuesday and was released, a jail official said. He was also charged with two counts of robbery.

Police said that at about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, a Sun Journal newspaper carrier was approached on College Street by two men in baseball caps who threatened to slit his throat with a knife unless he handed over money.

No weapon was displayed, however, and the victim refused to hand over money. The carrier defended himself with an umbrella, police said, and ran to the Oak Street parking garage where other carriers were picking up their newspapers.

Within minutes as police rushed to the area, officers spotted two men in baseball caps trying to drag a person into the Park Street alley. The suspects were detained and ultimately arrested.

The second suspect told police that at about 2:40 a.m., two men had chased him down Lisbon Street, near Ash, and threatened to beat him and break his jaw if he didn’t hand over money.

That suspect was freed when police arrived on the scene and did not give up his cash, police said. No weapon was used, Lt. Marc Robitaille said.

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