Authorities Say Robbery Suspect Tried To Evade Arrest

PRINCETON. N.C. — A 19-year-old Durham man accused in a 2025 robbery was arrested earlier this month at the Atlanta airport while authorities say he was attempting to flee the country.

Chrisian Mateo Moreno was extradited to Johnston County and formally charged May 12 with felony common law robbery. He is being held under a $1 million bond.

According to authorities, the robbery occurred around 7 p.m. on Oct. 18, 2025, during a truck show on Fellowship Church Road near Princeton.

A 24-year-old man from High Point told deputies he was assaulted, thrown to the ground, kicked and robbed during the incident. Investigators said approximately $322 in cash, debit and credit cards, and a gold chain valued at about $3,000 were stolen.

The victim reported the robbery the following morning.

Investigators later identified Moreno as a suspect in the case. Authorities said the U.S. Marshals Service arrested him at the Atlanta airport while he was waiting for a connecting flight to New York.

Court documents indicate Moreno is an active-duty member of the U.S. Navy who recently completed boot camp and job training school.

According to court records, law enforcement contacted Moreno about the outstanding warrant, but he allegedly refused to discuss the matter and left for Pensacola, Florida, the next day.

Authorities said Moreno was scheduled to be flown by the Navy to Japan for his duty assignment. Court records allege he booked additional flights out of Pensacola in an effort to evade law enforcement if his travel plans changed.

Investigators said Moreno eventually flew from Pensacola to Atlanta and was arrested by authorities while waiting at the gate for a flight to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

Officials cited Moreno’s potential flight risk in requesting the $1 million secured bond.