MEXICO — Police arrested a Hollis man early Thursday, just minutes after he allegedly robbed a Main Street store.

Mexico Police Chief Roy Hodsdon said Friday that

, 43, who was currently on bail for violating conditions of release, was charged with robbery, criminal mischief, theft, criminal threatening, refusing to submit to arrest and detention, and two counts of assault on a police officer.

Police officer Caroline Casey responded to a 5:05 a.m. complaint through a 911 call of a male who threatened a clerk at Circle K with a gun, demanding merchandise, Hodsdon said. 

“The gun was not seen but the clerk believed he had one,” he said. “After the merchandise was given to him, he fled on foot.” 

Casey was able to quickly find Keoskie out in front of the Town Office and library on Main Street, just a short distance away from the store, he said. He had taken the clerk’s red Circle K shirt and fled toward the Androscoggin River, behind the Town Office.

Arriving on the scene from Rumford police to assist were Sgt. James Bernard and Cpl. Lawrence Winson.

“They found him hiding along the riverbank,” Hodsdon said. “He became combative, assaulting Bernard and Winson. All three officers eventually subdued him, restrained him and placed him in the back of the cruiser.”

Hodsdon said that no weapon was found on Keoskie and that the man was “definitely under the influence.”

Asked why Keoskie took the shirt, Hodsdon said, “Nothing was mentioned why. He was intoxicated, so we’re not sure. My theory was that he was cold because he wearing a white tank top. It was a little cold yesterday morning.”

Keoskie also took alcohol and tobacco products from the store, according to Hodsdon. 

“He actually consumed alcohol in the store, left some of it there and took some of it with him,” said Hodsdon, adding that no money was taken.

Investigating the case, with the help of the store’s security cameras, Hodsdon said Keoskie entered the store at 4:42 a.m.

Hodsdon said the clerk, who was behind the counter when Keoskie came into the store, thought he was acting a little strange.

“The clerk thought he had gone to the bathroom, but on video, we could see him hiding in the back of the store in the beer case consuming alcohol,” he said.

At one point, the clerk had taken the trash outside. “When he came back in, that was when he (Keoskie) threatened the clerk, telling him he had a gun and was going to kill him. The clerk did the right thing by giving him the merchandise and not confronting him.”

Hodsdon said the Rumford officers suffered only minor injuries detaining Keoskie and no one inside the store was hurt.

“She (Casey) did a good job, and I can’t thank the Rumford officers enough for responding and helping her because he was a handful. I was very happy with the outcome. Luckily, no one was hurt,” he said.

Hodsdon said the case remains under investigation as he has another witness to interview.

Keoskie was arraigned on Friday, with bail set at $7,500 cash.

bfarrin@sunmediagroup.net

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