Merrimack Man, On Bail, Accused Of Armed Robbery In Shrewsbury

SHREWSBURY, MA — A Merrimack, New Hampshire, man and a man from Sturbridge, Massachusetts, are accused of being involved in an armed robbery in Shrewsbury on Saturday.

Police say the robbery occurred at Flynn’s Truck Stop. Three people, one who was accused of showing a weapon, entered the business on Hartford Turnpike and demanded money from the store employee. After the robbery, the suspects fled. Officers responding to the call saw a sedan leaving the truck stop.

Officer Corey Vandeekom activated his cruiser’s blue lights and attempted to stop the driver. Police said the driver sped away and did not stop, and the officer followed the vehicle into Worcester.

The vehicle slid off the road and into the woods when the driver “tried to make a sharp, evasive maneuver onto Hamilton Street” according to police.

Three people fled from the vehicle on foot, but Shrewsbury police were able to arrest two suspects. Shrewsbury police were assisted by Mass. State Police and Worcester police, according to a report.

Police arrested Jackson Cote, 18 of Merrimack, NH, and Alexander Wheaton, 31 of Sturbridge, MA. Police said both men were charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, armed assault to rob, and attempting to commit a robbery.

Cote was charged with two felony counts of criminal liability for the conduct of another-theft by unauthorized taking-transfer in Nashua in a December 2020 arrest. He was out on bail and awaiting trial for those charges.

Police say the driver was not apprehended at the scene but has been identified. A warrant has been issued for their arrest.