While drug treatment programs can work in situations where the patient is committed, there are certain situations where the individual is merely pausing in their drug abuse. The latter is likely true for a man staging a South End crime wave just hours after leaving a drug treatment program.

According to a report in the Niagara Gazette, Lawrence Colvin was released on his own recognizance from the Falls City jail where he was being held on charges stemming from a violent robbery and burglary on a Wednesday morning. By that evening, he had walked out of a residential drug treatment facility.

Inside sources claim Colvin spent only two hours at the facility before he left to commit a series of robberies. In claiming he was armed with a gun, he was able to hold up a gas station and a motel to demand cash. Colvin reportedly grabbed an undisclosed amount of cash and fled.

Some three hours later, Colvin robbed another convenience store before he hit a home late Thursday afternoon. Police were able to corner him in the home and take him into custody.

“We got information that he was dropped off here,” Capt. David LeGault said in the Gazette. “His plan, apparently, was to hide out here until dark and go out and start robbing again.”

Colvin’s first arrest was for trying to break into a convenience store. At the time of this arrest he claimed he had a significant addiction to crack cocaine. He told investigators:
“I remember robbing the gas station and (the convenience store) on Fourth and Niagara streets. I’m on drugs real bad and all (expletive) up.”