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Locust Police has made an arrest following an armed robbery of a gas station.

LPD responded to a report of an armed robbery at 5:47 a.m. Dec. 26 at the Murphy Express, 158 James Ave., Locust. A masked/fully covered suspect entered the business, allegedly brandished a firearm and acquired an undisclosed amount of money from the business’s safe before fleeing from the scene, police said. No injuries were suffered during the robbery.

The Locust Police Department Criminal Investigations Division began investigation of the incident the same day. As additional leads developed, Locust detectives began authoring and executing search warrants of residences of interest in both Locust and Indian Trail, as well as for additional digital forensic investigation. Locust detectives also utilized additional assistance and resources provided by detectives with the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office.

On Monday, Locust detectives developed probable cause to obtain warrants for Melissa Sue Curtis, an employee of the Murphy Express, Paul Dewain Curtis Sr., and Paul Steffon Curtis Jr. on the charges of robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon.

All three individuals were arrested the same day and booked into the Stanly County Jail on those charges. All three individuals have also been charged with possession of methamphetamine based on discoveries made during residential search warrant executions. Melissa Curtis and Paul Curtis Sr. were each given a $175,000 bond and Paul Curtis Jr. was given a $150,000 bond.

Additionally, a moped/scooter previously reported stolen from Locust was recovered from an Indian Trail residence involved in this investigation. Charges are pending related to that recovery. Investigation by Locust detectives also continues to assess any additional applicable charges related to this incident.