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Community Corner

Serial Robber Strikes Meriden Drive-Thru

Police say Meriden man earns his 46th robbery arrest.

Meriden Police have arrested a man who allegedly robbed a Dunkin' Donuts through the drive thru window – while riding a bicycle.

Vernon Lewis, 42, of 6 Lincoln Street in Meriden, was arrested for robbery his 46th time and charged with first degree robbery, second degree larceny, second degree threatening, interfering and brandishing a fake firearm on Friday, April 22, police said.

A clerk at the Dunkin Donuts on 255 East Main Street called Meriden Police late last Friday claiming that a black male on a bicycle had just approached the drive-thru window, on bike, demanding the register and its contents, said Public Information Officer Glen Milslagle via e-mail. 

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The staffer relinquished the register, police said, and the man reportedly headed westbound by bike onto East Main Street. 

Another officer, responding to a disturbance call, almost collided with Lewis near City Hall, according to police. Officers proceeded to respond to the area after receiving the robbery report and located the suspect in the area of the Meriden Public Library. 

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Lewis was positively identified by a Dunkin' Donuts employee and customers who were at the scene and was taken into custody, police said. The man was searched and found to be in possession of $321.00.

Records show Lewis has been formerly charged with robbery 45 other times, police say.

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