Lawrence County Sheriff's and Loretto Police make arrests in connection with Sonic armed robbery

On April 6, 2017, Investigators with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department and the Loretto Police Department made arrests in connection with the armed robbery of Sonic Drive In located at 118 North Military Street, Loretto, TN.

The robbery which occurred on the night of March 27, 2017, was committed when two employees were held at gunpoint in the parking lot as they exited for the evening.

Two subjects dressed in hoodies, masks, and sun glasses demanded the money from the business. One of the employees was pistol whipped and held in the parking lot while the other was escorted back into the business to obtain the store money. The suspects were able to get just under one thousand dollars in cash before they fled on foot.

The Loretto Police Department launched an immediate investigation and asked for assistance from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigation Division. Throughout the following days Investigators gathered evidence regarding the robbery and were able to obtain arrest warrants for the individuals involved.

On April 6, 2017, warrants were issued for three subjects believed to be responsible for the crime. Shortly after the warrants were issued, Investigators learned one of the suspects had been taken into custody on a traffic stop in Saint Joseph, TN, by the Saint Joseph Police Department. Makena Hand of Lawrenceburg, TN, was placed under arrest by the Saint Joseph Police Department for simple possession of marijuana.

Upon arriving at the Lawrence County Detention Center, Makena Hand was additionally served a warrant for aggravated robbery concerning the March 27 event. Makena Hand is currently being held under a $252,000 bond in the Lawrence County Detention Center.

Investigators obtained information on the whereabouts of a second suspect, Normonta Tyreeck Smith of Pulaski, TN. Investigators responded to a residence on Stephens Street in Lawrenceburg and located Smith hiding in an attic.

Normonta Tyreeck Smith was arrested and booked in the Lawrence County Detention Center on charges of aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, burglary of an auto, and theft of property. Smith is being held under a $524,000 bond.

The third suspect, Trever Blake Curtis, of Lawrenceburg, TN was already incarcerated in the Lawrence County Detention Center on charges of Violation of Probation and failure to appear.

Curtis was arrested on those charges during the early hours of April 5, 2017, after trying to evade deputies with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department. Trever Curtis was additionally charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, burglary of an auto, and theft of property. Curtis is being held without bond.

Anyone with any information regarding illegal activity is encouraged to contact the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department 931-762-3626 or the Criminal Investigation Division 931-762-1608. Tips may also be reported online confidentially by visiting our department’s Facebook page and sending a message.