Robbery suspect apprehended in Crestview (UPDATED)

Justin Franklin Colson, 19, of Niceville, was arrested Thursday morning in Crestview in connection with an early-morning string of robberies in the county, according to a Crestview Police Department release.

Colson and two other men were stopped near the drive-thru at the McDonald's on U.S. Highway 90 in Crestview.

Police were seeking a white four-door car seen after a robbery at a Tom Thumb in Niceville, a robbery at 5:28 a.m. at the Fill-Ups Food Store at 3301 South Ferdon Blvd. in Crestview, and a robbery at the Tom Thumb at 438 W. James Lee Blvd. in Crestview.

A clerk at the Fill-Ups Food Store told police a white male entered the store and demanded money from the cash register.

A clerk at the Tom Thumb provided similar information.

The white car was spotted by Crestview Police heading north on Lloyd Street, leading to the arrests.

Colson confessed to the Crestview robberies during an interview, according to the CPD release. Colson initially told police he committed the robberies to repay a debt to family members, but later confessed the money was obtained to purchase crack cocaine. The exact dollar loss in unknown.

According to both clerks and Colson, no weapon was displayed, but Colson admitted he placed his hand under his shirt to give the impression he had a weapon.

Colson also admitted to the Niceville robbery during the CPD interview. The case is being handled by the Niceville Police Department.

Colson was placed under arrest and charged with two counts of armed robbery.

The two other men were interviewed and released by the CPD after it was determined they had no involvement in the robberies.

Visit crestviewbulletin.com for more details, photos and video from the scene.