MURFREESBORO – A Friday evening robbery in downtown Murfreesboro took about an hour to solve and the suspect is now behind bars.

Murfreesboro Police Chief Darryl Rowe confirmed that a suspect entered Ruffin Brothers Supermarket at 1104 E. Main Street and snatched six $20 bills from a register and ran out of the store.

Murfreesboro police officers Brian Futrell and Larry Newsome responded to the call and were given a description of the suspect.

According to the Rowe, the victim of the robbery was familiar with the suspect, but did not know the suspect’s name.

The officers returned to the Murfreesboro Police Station where they composed a photo lineup for the victim who later identified Thomas Leroy Johnson, 40, of 102 Center Road, Murfreesboro as the alleged robber.

Based on the victim’s identification of the suspect, officer Newsome secured an arrest warrant in Johnson’s name for the charge of larceny from a person.

The officers located the suspect approximately an hour later at 1101 E. Vance Street, directly behind the supermarket, wearing the same clothes he wore during the alleged robbery.

Johnson was taken to the Murfreesboro Police Station where he was placed under a $20,000 secured bond before being transported to the Hertford County Jail.

Johnson will make his first court appearance today (Tuesday).

Rowe wanted to praise his officers for their efforts.

&uot;Officers Futrell and Newsome were able to respond to this incident quickly and effectively,&uot; Rowe said. &uot;Thanks to their efforts this individual is off the streets of Murfreesboro.&uot;