By Robert Mills
MediaNews
PEPPERELL — Pepperell police busted a man who tried to rob a town pharmacy at knifepoint Wednesday afternoon with help from a pair of pharmacy employees who followed the man as he fled the store.
Police Chief David Scott said an employee at Pepperell Family Pharmacy, 74 Main St., called 911 about 12:46 p.m., and reported that a man was holding employees at knifepoint and demanding drugs.
That employee described the man to Dispatcher Justin Zink, and as the man fled the store on Cottage Street two employees followed him to a vehicle that was parked nearby, Scott said.
Officer Rick Smith arrived and arrested Michael Wilkins, 28, of Charlestown, with help from Officer Bruce Haskins.
Wilkins is charged with armed assault with intent to rob, kidnapping, attempted larceny of a drug, assault with a dangerous weapon (knife), assault and battery and intimidation of a witness.
He was to be arraigned Thursday in Ayer District Court.
