Lavonia Armed robbery ends with 2 arrested

The Lavonia Police Department continues to investigate an armed robbery which took place last weekend at a convenience store, but there has been a breakthrough in the case.

Shannon Westbrook, Chief Investigator for the Lavonia Police Department, talks about the incident.

“We are investigating an armed robbery that happened on Saturday night at around 11 p.m. The police department was sent out to the Royal Food Store that’s out Highway 59 at Highway 328. The clerk reported that two males entered the store, armed, demanded money and then fled,” Westbrook said.

The two suspects were described as white males wearing black masks, and according to the clerk, one was also wearing red shorts and a white top.

One of the suspects approached the counter while the other remained at the door.

The clerk was unable to provide any further descriptions of the suspects or a vehicle description.

Investigators got an early lead in the case and Westbrook talks about the subsequent arrest.

“We were able that night to get a suspicious vehicle description and with an anonymous tip from the public, we were able to identify that vehicle, which led to us identifying the driver of the vehicle. The driver is a 16-year-old male and has been charged with one count of armed robbery,” said Westbrook.

Westbrook was able to use leads he had gathered and identify the second suspect.

The suspect was then located and arrested.

Arrested was 18-year old Johnathan Martin of Canon. Martin has been charged with one count of armed robbery.

Lavonia Police Chief Bruce Carlisle also said the 16-year-old would be tried as an adult.