Man said to have demanded narcotics from Gilford supermarket pharmacy arrested a short while later

LACONIA — A Gilford man who is said to have admitted to police he had a drug dependency problem was ordered held on $5,000 cash bail after appearing by video in circuit court this morning.

Police affidavits said Michael Lewis, 40, of 131 Lake St. in Gilford went into Osco Drugs, which is inside Shaw's Supermarket, just after noon Sunday and handed the pharmacist a note telling him to give him some narcotics and that he had a "weapon."

The pharmacist, who knew Lewis as a customer, described him as 6-feet, 6-inches tall and weighing about 220 to 240 pounds. He was able to give police Lewis's name.

Police from Gilford, assisted by Laconia, contacted Lewis's wife who handed them a bag that contained several bottles of pills as well as some loose pills in the bottom.

She told them she had confronted Lewis when he returned home and had learned what he had allegedly done.

Police took Lewis into custody just after 2 p.m. without incident.

After being advised of his rights, police said Lewis told them he was addicted to opiates, that he was "jonesing" for the drug, and that his life was falling apart.

He said he wrote the note without telling his wife what he was doing and walked to the store. He allegedly told police he and the pharmacist didn't speak during the alleged robbery.

Lewis was found guilty of possession of a controlled drug in 1999 and of theft by unauthorized taking in 2010.