Burglary Suspect Plucked Out of Waiting Line

Auburn, Calif. (Feb. 26) — Michael F. Brown was arrested by Auburn Police Wednesday night (Feb. 25) while he waited in the pharmacy line at a local drugstore.

According to the police report, when the 25-year-old was apprehended, he had a loaded .38 caliber pistol and a switchblade knife in his possession, as well as a note which demanded OxcyContin.

“It was a case of good police work,” Auburn Detective Sgt. Victor Pecoraro said adding that Brown had originally been spotted earlier int he night at a Longs Drugstore, 2140 Grass Valley Highway in North Auburn.

“Apparently he was acting suspiciously, which alerted an employee who called the (Placer County) Sheriff’s Office,” Pecoraro added.

Brown left that store without incident, but a subsequent Sheriff’s Department broadcast led Auburn patrol officers Mike Metzner and Brent Froberg to check out their city’s pharmacies.

Brown was then discovered in line at the Auburn Longs, 388 Elmn Ave and was apprehended. The arrest report said Brown was also in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphenalia.

“He also had his car conveniently parked for a quick getaway to the (nearby) freeway,” Pecoraro said.Brown, who gave an address of 2337 Anita Ae. in Sacrament, faces charges of attempted robbery, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a switcblad knife, possessing a vontrolled substancve and paraphenalia, and burglary, as well as an outstanding benvh warrant charging loitering. He’s being held in the Placer County Jail in lieu of $105,000 bail.