Indiana man arrested after K-9 pursuit for robbing Middletown pharmacy

UPDATED@3:15 p.m.: The alleged robber pulled out a black handgun and told the female clerk: "Give me the money in the cash register and I will not harm you," according to the Middletown police report.

The cashier told the alleged thief she couldn’t do that and he repeated: “I do not want to hurt you. Give me the money.”

The clerk handed Brenden Parker all the cash, and he said he wanted the larger bills under the drawer. About $280 was stolen, the report said.

During the foot pursuit that followed, a Middletown police officer deployed his taser, but the taser was ineffective because both probes missed the suspect, the report said.

Once the subject was caught, he refused to be handcuffed and two “baton strikes” were used to “gain compliance” on him, the report said.

INITIAL REPORT: A 27-year-old Indiana man was in the Middletown City Jail Thursday charged with aggravated robbery, resisting arrest and obstructing official business after he allegedly robbed the Rite Aid in the 1900 block of Central Avenue Wednesday night.

Brenden Parker, of Aurora, Ind., will have his preliminary hearing at 8:30 a.m. Friday in Middletown Municipal Court, according to documents.

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Parker allegedly walked into Rite Aid around 8:45 p.m. and, according to the clerk, showed a handgun and demanded money from the cash register. The suspect was a white male with a black coat and baggy jeans. The suspect then took the undisclosed amount of money and fled on foot toward the Moore Street area, police said.

Middletown officers Jessica Payne, Rachel Ward, Jordan Wagers and Anthony Gibson and his canine officer Bear responded and began checking the area, police said.

A man matching the description of the suspect was located in the Sherman Park area about 9 p.m. Upon seeing the officers, he ran through several yards and alleys and was eventually caught on foot by the officers. While attempting to make the arrest and place him in handcuffs, the suspect began resisting arrest. It took officers several minutes to get him into custody, according to police.

He was found to be in possession of the stolen money from Rite Aid. Bear located a black BB gun near where the suspect was located.

Middletown Police Chief Rodney Muterspaw said the officers did a “great job” by apprehending the suspect without worse incident.

“It also shows how even a BB or pellet gun can appear as a handgun to those who have one pointed at them,” Muterspaw wrote. “Excellent work by our team last night! They work hard for you.”

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