LAPLACE — Authorities are trying to identify a man involved in the armed robbery of Birdie’s in LaPlace last weekend.

The victims of the armed robbery told St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office investigators two male subjects entered the store, located at 483 Belle Terre Blvd., at 4:08 a.m. Sunday.

The first armed subject went behind the counter, pointed a gun at the cashier and demanded all the money from the registers and the cashier’s personal money.

The cashier complied with his demands, authorities said.

The second armed subject went to the rear of the store and returned to the front of the store with a second employee, who was ordered to lay on the floor.

Both perpetrators fled the store with an undisclosed amount of money.

Investigators identified one perpetrator as Kenneth Hayes, 17, of New Orleans.

Hayes left the store, authorities said, driving a black Jeep Grand Cherokee north on Belle Terre Boulevard toward I-10. The second armed gunman was with him.

Responding deputies positioned on I-10 eastbound at the exit for U.S. 51 saw the vehicle and attempted to stop the driver, but the driver refused to stop and continued driving eastbound on I-10.

A computer check of the Jeep’s license plate revealed the vehicle was reported stolen in Orleans Parish earlier Sunday, and the subjects were armed and considered dangerous.

The pursuit ended in Metairie at Causeway Boulevard, where the driver crashed into a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office patrol unit.

Authorities said the driver of the Jeep, identified as Hayes, was arrested.

However, the passenger fled from the crash and remains at large.

Detectives encourage anyone with information regarding the robbery to call the Sheriff’s Office TIPS line at 985-359-TIPS or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.

Crimestoppers tipsters do not have to testify in court and may qualify for a cash reward. Residents can also submit tips at stjohnsheriff.com/submitatip.php.

St. John detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Hayes for armed robbery with a firearm.