Swampscott Police Arrest Armed Robbery Suspect

Police arrested a Swampscott man on armed robbery and other charges after a Craigslist related robbery at a prearranged meeting place.

Richard Lane, 48, of 145 Essex St., Apt. 3, allegedly robbed the victim with a knife at  on Paradise Road Tuesday shortly before 6 pm, said Det. Ted Delano.

Lane then allegedly fled on a Harley Davidson motorcycle towards Lynn.

Lane was later charged with armed robbery, operating a motor vehicle after suspension of his license and possession of Class B drugs. 

More charges may be forthcoming, Det. Delano said.

Police applied for and received a search warrant for Lane's residence. 

In the search they found evidence related to the case as well as an unlicensed firearm.

Lane was also cited with a town violation for possessing a knife with a blade over 2.5-inches long.

The detective told the Lynn Item that Lane allegedly used a knife to steal another knife from a man he had arranged to meet at Five Guys on Paradise Road.

Lane and the alleged victim had apparently made arrangements for a knife sale on Criagslist, the detective said.

The article states that the victim told police the prospective buyer threatened him with a knife and took the knife that was to be sold.

"With Craigslist, sometimes you know who you're dealing with, sometimes you don't know who you're dealing with," said Det. Delano. "I caution people when meeting people."

After receiving a report of the incident shortly before 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Swampscott police converged on the scene, searched Swampscott and alerted neighboring police departments. 

The victim reported that a person known to him as "Rick," who lives near the Swampscott/Marblehead town lines, had robbed him and fled, according to the Swampscott police log.

The investigation into the case was carried out by Swampscott police Det. Delano, Det. Rose Cheever, and Officers Tom Lucas and Kevin Reen.

Lane was arraigned in Lynn District Court on Wednesday.