Lynchburg store owner describes robbery by sword

The first robbery of Robertson Drug was so long ago that owner Michael Robertson hardly remembers it.

Wednesday’s robbery, committed by a samurai sword-wielding suspect in a lime-green raincoat, might be harder to forget.

Robertson faced a robber twice on Wednesday: In the morning a suspect demanded narcotics from the store, but ran away when told police could arrive soon.

In the evening, he had a sword and escaped with drugs.

Lynchburg police have arrested Michael Edward Towler, 27, in connection with the robbery. Towler faces charges of robbery, brandishing a weapon and attempted robbery.

Robertson said he was glad to learn Thursday that a suspect had been caught. “(The police) just called us this morning to try to ease our nerves,” he said Thursday morning. “It was very much a relief.”

Robertson is a third-generation pharmacist in Lynchburg. His grandfather ran a pharmacy that is now closed. His father and uncle started Robertson Drug 60 years ago. The store at 6109 Fort Ave. still delivers medicine to customers who are unable to travel.

Robertson recalled only one other robbery in the store’s history. “I haven’t seen one in quite a while,” he said.

On Wednesday, the first robbery attempt happened around 9:20 a.m. when a man entered and demanded drugs. That situation was quickly defused, Robertson said.

“We pretty much told him that the alarm had already gone off, so he could stay and try to get what he wanted, or he could leave before the police got here,” Robertson said.

The man chose the latter option, fleeing on foot. Police searched the area with K-9 units but did not find him.

Shortly after 5 p.m., a man  who looked identical to the morning culprit came in, except he had shaved and put on a raincoat.

And under the raincoat was a samurai-style sword about three feet long, Robertson said.

The man drew the blade and ordered staff to stay away from the phone and not summon the police.

He escaped with an undisclosed amount of a narcotic. Robertson would not specify what kind.

Robertson said he was certain the sword-bearing robber was the same man who had tried robbing the shop in the morning.

“It was a little hard to believe that he did come back,” he said.

Police identified Towler as a suspect after “an intense investigation,” according to a news release. He was arrested at his home without incident.

Police would not say where Towler lives. They also would not confirm that he had a sword, calling it “an edged weapon” instead.

Robertson said the blade was about three feet long.

Robertson said he was “concerned,” but not afraid, during the two incidents Wednesday. He is considering adding security measures to the store, but he did not want to detail those plans publicly.