Publix robbery suspect connected to family restaurant robbery, LCSO says

A 31-year-old man is accused of attempting to rob a Publix pharmacy in North Fort Myers Thursday night, and he has also been connected to and accused of a robbery at the Stamatis Family Restaurant, deputies said.

Christopher McLain, who is listed as homeless, is accused of robbery with two counts of robbery with a weapon, arrests records show. He also faces a charge of violation of probation in an unrelated robbery case.

McLain was arrested at the Publix at 4065 Hancock Bridge Parkway after he was stopped by a group of good Samaritans, according to a Lee County Sheriff’s Office news release.

LCSO said McLain entered the pharmacy area of the North Fort Myers store with a knife and demanded medications.

Detectives also determined McLain is the suspect of a Wednesday robbery at the Stamatis Family Restaurant.

During that incident, LCSO says, McLain entered the eatery while wielding a knife and demanded money. He ran away with an undisclosed amount of money.

No injuries were reported due to the attempted armed robbery at the Publix or during the robbery at the restaurant.

The Publix remained open Thursday as deputies worked at the scene with crime scene tape up at parts of the grocery store.