Midland man faces felony charges after alleged Laundromat robbery

MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A Midland man faces first-degree felony charges after allegedly robbing a laundromat.

According to the Midland Police Department, 56-year-old Ivory Lugene Merrite faces first-degree felony charges and was booked into the Midland County Jail after confessing to the robbery at the Wash Em Up Laundromat in the 700 block of East Florida Avenue. 

MPD reported that on Thursday, August 8 at 7:24 a.m., officers responded to the Wash Em Up Laundromat after reports were made of an aggravated robbery. 

Upon arrival, officers discovered that a man- later identified as Merrite- entered the laundromat and threatened the 20-year-old female attendant with a weapon demanding she open the cash register and give the money. 

MPD stated that after Merrite took all the money and fled the store in a white 2024 Mitsubishi, detectives were able to track his vehicle to the America’s Best Value Inn located at 3610 Bankhead Highway, which led to a foot pursuit. 

Officials stated that around 2:50 p.m., officers were able to locate and arrest Merrite who had a large quantity of cash that MPD believes to have been taken during the robbery, as well as the items of clothing Merrite was wearing during the robbery.

MPD reported that Merrite then subsequently confessed to committing the robbery and was arrested and booked into Midland County Jail.