By VICKIE JAMBON – Staff Reporter

BOUTTE – A man and a woman staged a fake armed robbery at a credit union where they worked in order to cover up a real robbery performed the day before, according to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office.

According to Captain Patrick Yoes, Atlean Pierre allegedly stole a large sum of money on Tuesday from Nome Federal Credit Union located at 13491 U.S. Highway 90 in Boutte.

The 51-year old woman who resides at 257 Post St., Kilona made the heist without anyone knowing about it, said Yoes.

Latroy Diggs, an 18-year old man living at 1349 Paul Frederick St., Luling, allegedly helped Pierre fabricate a fake armed robbery on Wednesday. The falsified crime was committed before surveillance cameras to provide an alibi for Pierre’s theft of the money on the previous day.

Yoes said Diggs wore a face mask and a jumpsuit. He pushed Pierre into the credit union and snatched a bag from her. While the bag was empty, the couple wanted authorities to believe it contained the currency stolen the day before. Pierre then called the Sheriff’s Office claiming an armed robbery took place.

After a short time, deputies and investigators grew suspicious of the employee’s story. Further investigation by authorities led to the employee’s confession and arrest. The money was found in Pierre’s home.

Yoes said Pierre was a cashier for the credit union while Diggs supplied janitorial service for the financial institution.

29th Judicial District Judge Emile St. Pierre set bond at $210,000 for each man.

In a news release, Chief Joseph Cardella said, “All of the deputies and investigators are to be commended for their quick response and assessment of the crime as well as securing confessions and most of the stolen money within hours.