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LAPLACE — A 17-year-old male juvenile from LaPlace has been arrested in connection to two robbery incidents in LaPlace. At about 9 p.m. Wednesday, officers responded to the 2200 block of Van Arpel Drive in LaPlace in reference to an attempted armed robbery. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the

22-year-old male victim who reported that as he was exiting his vehicle at his residence, a male subject carrying a gun approached him and demanded all his belongings. The victim then reached into his vehicle and retrieved a gun, refusing to comply with the suspect’s demands. The suspect then fled on foot, firing two shots in the air, towards Kara and Tiffany drives. Officers canvassed the area, but were unable to locate the suspect at the time.

At about 10:15 a.m. Thursday, deputies responded to a complaint of a robbery in the 400 block of Belle Terre Boulevard in LaPlace. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with the 19-year-old victim who reported that as he was exiting a convenience store he was approached by a male subject who asked the victim to buy him cigarettes because he was underage. When the victim told the subject he could not buy cigarettes because he was underage as well, the male subject asked the victim to see identification to prove he was not old enough to make the purchase. When the victim took out his wallet to produce identification, the suspect grabbed the cash from the wallet then fled on foot.

Through investigation and review of video surveillance in the area of Van Arpel Drive, detectives developed the juvenile as a suspect in both robbery incidents. Detectives also recovered the money stolen from the 19-year-old victim. The juvenile was charged with attempted armed robbery, illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, simple robbery (felony) and two counts of illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile (misd). He is being held in custody.