PORTLAND — Police said Friday a 39-year-old Portland man claimed to be suicidal as he allegedly displayed what he called an explosive device while robbing the CVS pharmacy at 510 Congress St.

Jason Wayne Campbell, of 40 Alder St., allegedly entered the store around 8:45 a.m. Friday and demanded narcotics. He fled on foot after being given an undisclosed amount of prescription medications, according to Assistant Police Chief Vern Malloch. Campbell was recognized by a store employee and arrested at his home.

Congress Street was closed from Brown to Center streets until 12:30 p.m. as police investigated the scene and a suspicious package left in a trash can outside the store by Campbell.

The device, retrieved from a blue backpack, appeared to be taped to a bottle of soda. Police first took X-rays of the trash can, then used a wheeled robotic to overturn to overturn the can and remove the backpack. The device was then taken from the scene by a member of the Hazardous Devices Unit.

Malloch said the device removed was not explosive and “was manufactured using several different components.”

No injuries were reported in the robbery.

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A member of the Portland Police Hazardous Devices Unit prepares to remove a suspected explosive device outside the CVS pharmacy at 510 Congress at about noon Friday. A suspect is in custody after allegedly robbing the store and making a bomb threat around 9 a.m.


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