MURFREESBORO – A man was arrested here in connection to last week’s assault and robbery, according to the Murfreesboro Police Department (MPD).

Police Chief Darrell Rowe said Thomas Leroy Johnson, 42, of 102 Center Road in Murfreesboro was arrested Saturday afternoon.

Johnson was charged with common law robbery and assault inflicting serious injury. Johnson was taken to the Hertford County Jail where he still sits behind bars on a $31,500 bond.

The charges stem from an assault and robbery of an elderly man that occurred last Thursday (July 26) morning on Lakeview Drive near Chowan University’s Jenkins Center.

During that incident, Johnson allegedly attacked the victim from behind and wrestled him to the ground. The suspect then allegedly struck the victim in the face and took his wallet.

Johnson shed his multicolored black, white and orange “golf type” shirt and faded blue jeans and hid them under the Jenkins Center building along with the victim’s wallet, from which cash was allegedly stolen.

It was those clothes left behind that led MPD to the suspect.

“Due to excellent police work, we were able to identify Johnson through videotapes from local businesses he visited,” said Rowe.

He added on those tapes the suspect can be seen the wearing the same clothes worn during the assault and robbery.

“We’re very happy to get the suspect off the street,” said Rowe.

He said MPD was able to build a substantial case and highly appreciate the leads provided by the community that helped bring in the suspect.

“I hope it will make citizens less apprehensive while they’re on the streets,” he said.