03/27/2025
March 27, 2025, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS MEDIA RELEASE
Reference: Armed Robbery at Short Stop 900 Denim Dr. Erwin NC
On Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 1:18 pm, Harnett County Dispatch received a 911 call from the store clerk of the Short Stop located at 900 Denim Dr. advising she had been robbed at gunpoint. The store clerk described the suspect as a black male wearing all black clothing and a white shirt covering the lower portion of his face. Erwin Officers responded and immediately began searching the area for the suspect. Several Dunn Police Officers and Harnett County Sheriff's Deputies also responded and assisted with the search for the suspect.
Early on, we received information that someone matching the description of the suspect was possibly seen on the Dunn Erwin Rail Trail between the solar panels and Triton Highschool. Officers from Erwin PD and surrounding jurisdictions, along with drones and Erwin Police K9 Clint, were deployed to this area in an attempt to locate the suspect. Due to the close proximity of the search area to Triton High School, the school was asked to delay dismissal until we could get additional personnel to the area and develop a plan for a safe dismissal. School staff, along with officers on the scene, modified the release of all students to ensure their safety. The suspect and no evidence were located in the area of the Rail Trail or Triton High School.
A short time later, Erwin Investigators were able to identify the suspect as Lavonta Lamont Postles, described as a black male, 29 years old, of Dunn, and verify that he fled the area shortly after the robbery in a white SUV last seen going towards US 421.
On 3/26/2025 at approximately 9:50 pm, Erwin Investigators, with assistance from Dunn PD, located the suspect and the vehicle in Dunn, NC. Mr. Postles was arrested without incident and charged with Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon. Additional charges are possible.
I would like to thank the following:
Erwin PD Staff, as I had officers immediately reach out and offer to come in on their day off to help. Due to the hard work of our investigators, they identified and arrested the suspect within 8 hours of the incident.
Dunn PD, who immediately provided officers and detectives to assist us.
Erwin Fire and Rescue deployed a drone to help search for the suspect. Harnett County Sheriff's Office provided deputies, drones, and pilots to assist in the search.
ERWIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
100 West F Street Erwin NC 28339
Telephone: 910-897-5122 Fax: 910-897-6663 www.erwin-nc.org
Chief of Police: Jonathan Johnson
ATF agents who assisted with the investigation.
North Carolina SBI, who offered assistance
Harnett County School staff and SROs assisted with developing a plan to ensure students and staff members were safe during release from school.
The citizens of Erwin provided valuable information that assisted in identifying the suspect.
Without these partnerships and support, the results of this investigation would not have been achieved as quickly.
Respectfully,
Jonathan Johnson
Chief of Police
