Last Updated on January 8, 2025 4:41 pm
UPDATE Wednesday January 8 4:37pm – Press release from Ashe County Sheriff's Office is below:
Jefferson N.C. – Sheriff B.Phil Howell announces the arrest of 32-year-old Tavares DeshawnLeverett of West Jefferson for felony robbery from LifeStore Bank. Jefferson Police Departmentwill handle the investigation as the robbery occurred within Jefferson city limits.On January 8th, 2024, at approximately 10:05 a.m., Ashe 911 Dispatch received a call statingthat the Jefferson branch of Lifestore Bank h a d been robbed. A male subject, later identified asTavares Deshawn Leverett, entered the bank, demanded money, and fled out the front doortowards the eastern part of Jefferson. The immediate response from all Ashe County's lawenforcement agencies was en route.
Jefferson Police Chief Aaron Reed stated, “We would like to thankWest Jefferson PD, the Ashe County Sheriff's Office, local agentsfrom the NC State Bureau of Investigation, and NC HighwayPatrol for their quick response and assistance with the call.Detective Ryan Shepherd will investigate the case further;additional charges may be pending.”
The suspect had fled on foot after exiting the bank and wasapprehended after a brief foot chase. The suspect was detainedand placed under arrest after a fast response from the JeffersonPolice Department, West Jefferson PD, and the Ashe CountySheriff's Office. This truly was a group effort that included all lawenforcement agencies.
Leverett was transported to the Ashe County Detention Centerunder a $100,000 secured bond. Tavares Deshawn Leverett, age32, of West Jefferson, was charged with the following:
Felony Common Law Robbery
Felony Breaking and Entering
A suspect is under arrest after a bank robbery this morning in Ashe Conuty.
“At approximately 10:19 a.m. this morning, Lifestore Bank in Jefferson, NC, called 911 Dispatch to report a robbery. All agencies came together extremely quickly and strongly to apprehend the suspect at the intersection of Hwy 221 and Wade Bare Rd” according to Ashe County Sheriff B. Phil Howell
Sheriff Howell continued, “We are happy to say that all community members, including bank staff and law enforcement officers, sustained no injuries.”
He said, “The community is safe and protected at this time, and we do not believe there are any additional suspects. If the situation changes, we will alert the public immediately.”
WataugaOnline will update as any additional information becomes available.
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