Man Arrested for Roanoke Gas Station Robbery

Xavier Shuntone Barlow faces armed robbery charges after police identify him using license plate reader technology.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 7:54pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a handgun cylinder and trigger against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the threat of gun violence during a gas station robbery.Surveillance technology helps police track down a suspect in a brazen gas station robbery, exposing the risks small businesses face.Roanoke Today

A 35-year-old Roanoke man named Xavier Shuntone Barlow has been arrested and charged with armed robbery in connection to a gas station heist in Southeast Roanoke last month. Police say Barlow entered the store, pulled a handgun on the clerk, and demanded money, which the clerk complied with before the suspect fled the scene in a black SUV. Investigators were able to identify Barlow as the suspect using Flock License Plate Reader technology.

Why it matters

Gas station robberies and other property crimes remain an ongoing challenge for many urban areas like Roanoke, with perpetrators often targeting small businesses and putting employees at risk. The use of advanced surveillance and license plate reader technology is becoming more common as law enforcement seeks to identify and apprehend suspects in these types of incidents.

The details

According to police, the incident occurred on March 24 around 8:26 p.m. at a gas station in the 400 block of Walnut Ave SE in Roanoke. Surveillance footage showed the suspect, later identified as Barlow, entering the store, walking behind the counter, pulling a handgun from his pocket, and demanding money from the clerk, who complied. Barlow then fled the scene in a black SUV. No injuries were reported.

  • The incident occurred on March 24, 2026 around 8:26 p.m.
  • Barlow was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area regional Task Force on April 7, 2026

The players

Xavier Shuntone Barlow

A 35-year-old Roanoke resident who was arrested and charged with armed robbery in connection to the gas station heist.

Roanoke Police

The law enforcement agency that investigated the gas station robbery, reviewed surveillance footage, and used license plate reader technology to identify and apprehend the suspect.

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What they’re saying

“Gas station robberies and other property crimes remain an ongoing challenge for many urban areas like Roanoke, with perpetrators often targeting small businesses and putting employees at risk.”

— Roanoke Police

What’s next

Barlow will appear in court in the coming weeks to face the armed robbery charges.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of advanced surveillance technology like license plate readers in helping law enforcement identify and apprehend suspects involved in property crimes. While challenges remain, these tools can be valuable assets in protecting small businesses and communities.