Trooper Apprehends Robbery Suspect at Newton CVS

Updated 4:30 p.m. 

A State Police trooper arrested a man at the on Route 9 in Newton Highlands today after the suspect allegedly attempted to rob the pharmacy. 

According to State Police, Trooper John McKinnon was walking into the CVS to buy a bottle of water when he observed Stephen A. Garland, 27, of Lynn, with a box cutter trying to rob the pharmacy.

In a press conference Friday morning, McKinnon told CBS Boston that a woman informed him of a suspicious person in the back of the store, promting the trooper to investigate. 

When he reached the pharmacy, McKinnon saw Garland filling a plastic bag with painkiller medication. He then chased Garland into the parking lot where he took him down with pepper spray, CBS reported. 

Garland was transported to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Brighton for a medical evaluation and later admitted for further observation, State Police said.

He will be arraigned in  on Jan. 9, pending his release from the hospital. Until then, he will remain in State Police custody.

After investigating the incident, State Police found that the Garland used a stolen Toyota Venza. Scanner reports indicate the stolen vehicle is from Boston.