BANGOR, Maine — The Dixmont couple accused of robbing the Newport Rite Aid on Aug. 16 and again on Sept. 16 have been charged in U.S. District Court with pharmacy robbery.
Jonah Masse, 26, and Sydney Duff, 20, were arrested Sept. 25 and charged with Class B robbery in state court after an informant told Newport police that he recognized Masse from surveillance video released to the news media, according to a complaint filed Tuesday in federal court in Bangor.
Masse and Duff remained Wednesday at the Penobscot County Jail unable to make the $50,000 cash or $200,000 surety bail set by Maine District Court Judge Gregory Campbell on Sept. 28.
Their first appearances in federal court have not been set.
The couple, who had been living at Masse’s parents’ home, also are suspects in the attempted robbery on Sept. 25 of the Rite Aid in Pittsfield, according to a previously published report.
Duff told Newport police she wrote the notes and waited in the car while Masse went into the Rite Aid at the corner of Routes 2, 7 and 11 in Newport on both dates, the complaint said. Masse allegedly went into the store and handed the pharmacist a note that said he had a gun and needed oxycodone and hydrocodone.
The pharmacist complied with his demand on both occasions, the complaint said. The estimated wholesale cost of the drugs was more than $1,500, but Newport police said in September their street value was about $6,000.
The complaint did not say whether Masse had a gun when he allegedly committed the robberies or if he brandished one.
If convicted of the state charges, Masse and Duff face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $20,000. Each faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000 if convicted of the federal charges.
They also could be ordered to pay restitution by a state or federal judge.