Man arrested in connection with armed robbery that prompted lockdown at a high school in Harnett Co.

ERWIN, N.C. (WTVD) -- A man was arrested after police said he was involved in an armed robbery at a convenience store on Wednesday in Harnett County.

Police said around 1:18 p.m., a person robbed the Short Stop Food Mart on Denim Drive.

Erwin police arrested 30-year-old Lavonta Postles of Dunn on Wednesday night after officers said they spotted a vehicle believed to be involved in the robbery.

According to the arrest warrant, the vehicle was spotted using "Flock Cameras," which identified the vehicle using its description and license plates on Jonesboro Road in Dunn. Officers later stopped the vehicle on US Highway 301.

The driver, identified as Postles, was arrested and taken to the Harnett County Detention Center.

The store's cashier told ABC11 that the suspect entered the store with his gun already out and demanded money.

"He wasn't aggressive or anything. He wasn't shouting or yelling," said the cashier. "He also said, 'I'm not going to hurt you.'"

According to the cashier, she opened her register and complied with the man's request, which was about $200-$300 in cash. She also said the robber asked for some cigarettes before he eventually walked out of the store.

"I looked up and he walked out. I didn't see him get in a car," she said.

"It's alarming. It really is," said Erwin Police Chief Jonathan Johnson. "We don't have this type of thing happen in Erwin. When it came across the radio, of course, everybody jumped up and responded to try and find out who this was. It's alarming, and we're going to do everything in our power and try and find out who this is."

It was initially believed the suspect ran away from the scene onto Erwin Rail Trail, prompting a search on a trail near Triton High School. That report was unfounded. However, Erwin Police notified Harnett County Schools of the nearby armed robbery out of fear that the suspect could escape and hide in one of the buses during dismissal time.

According to Harnett County Schools, the school was placed on a "soft lockdown" as a precaution, while officers searched the area.

"This afternoon, Triton High School was placed on a soft lockdown as a precautionary measure. During this time, all students and staff remained safe, and school operations continued with modifications to ensure everyone's safety (staggered dismissal)," Harnett County spokesperson said.

Students were released from the school just after 4 p.m., police said.