Original Blog Entry: Man robs pharmacy dies of drug overdose

truesee — Fri, 06 May 2011 20:33:56 GMT

Alleged Walgreens robber dies from suspected drug overdose

Lawrence Raley, suspected of robbing a Walgreens for pill, died from a suspected drug overdose after his arrest Thursday, Palm Bay officials said. (Brevard County Jail)

Orlando Sentinel

12:18 p.m. EDT, May 6, 2011

A man suspected of robbing a Walgreens pharmacy and committing other crimes in Brevard County was arrested Thursday but later died from a suspected drug overdose, Palm Bay police just announced.

Lawrence Raley, 31, faced felony charges for an armed robbery Sunday at the Walgreens pharmacy at 175 Malabar Road NW.

He demanded pills from Walgreens workers while showing them a handgun before getting away on foot. Later, tipsters said Raley was involved.

Agents got a warrant to search his home in the 3400 block of Airia Street in Melbourne.

Officers with the Melbourne Police Department and the Brevard County Sheriff's Office took him into custody.

At the time of his arrest the suspect appeared to be under the influence and severely incoherent, said Sgt. Tim Zander of the Special Investigations Unit said in a statement He was taken to the hospital where he later died.

Authorities found the gun, hat and gloves used during the robbery at his house. Police think he was responsible for other similar crimes, including an armed robbery in Melbourne.

No other details were released.

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