AUGUSTA — A city woman has been charged with helping her brother flee the Walmart on Civic Center Drive after last month’s holdup at the store’s pharmacy.

Lindsay Dixon, 27, was arrested Wednesday and charged with robbery, Augusta Police Detective Brian Wastella said Thursday. Dixon was released later on $2,000 cash bail.

Wastella said Dixon drove the blue minivan used to help her brother, Jason L. Truman, 33, of Augusta, flee the Walmart moments after the Nov. 26 robbery. He’s still being held at the Kennebec County jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.

Truman, who was charged Saturday morning with robbery, initially claimed that his estranged wife, Heather Downs, was driving the getaway van, police said.

Wastella said Dixon, who has virtually no criminal history, has cooperated with police during the investigation.

“Even though she (Dixon) didn’t go into the store, it’s still the same charge based on the fact she had knowledge of what took place,” Wastella said.

No one was hurt during the robbery, which took place around 1 p.m. as the store was crowded with customers. Police said Truman handed over a note indicating he had a gun and demanding oxycodone. Truman fled on foot toward Civic Center Drive before getting into the van Dixon was driving.

Police found two bottles of pills, along with the shred of a pharmacy bag, on an embankment near the store. Police think Truman fell, ripping the bag and allowing the two bottles to fall out, but Truman later told police he discarded the bottles because they were more than he needed.

Truman reportedly told police he sold a third bottle of pills to make a down payment on Dixon’s apartment.

Downs contacted police late Friday night and provided information that led to Truman’s arrest. Downs told police Dixon was driving the getaway van, while Truman claimed Downs was the driver.

The robbery was the first of two reported last week and the second of three in November.

The Capitol Street CVS was robbed of prescription drugs Nov. 17 and again Nov. 28. Police continue to search for the culprits in those two robberies, which police say might be connected, and for the person responsible for a May 5 hold-up at the North Belfast Avenue Rite Aid.

Police have brought charges in six other pharmacy robberies that have taken place in Augusta since January.

No injuries have been reported in any of the robberies.

Craig Crosby — 621-5642
ccrosby@centralmaine.com