LAPLACE — On Monday, Feb. 11, a St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s deputy was flagged down by a female at a convenience store in the 1100 block of E. Airline Highway in LaPlace. She reported that she had just been robbed at gunpoint by two male subjects who fled to a nearby vehicle. She pointed out the vehicle driving on Airline Highway going east.
The 37-year-old female victim, a resident of St. Rose, told investigators she was in her vehicle when two male subjects approached the vehicle. One subject entered the vehicle from the back door and pointed a gun at her, demanding her purse. She identified the second suspect by name.
The deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, and a brief pursuit ensued. The vehicle crashed into a tree at the intersection of Cardinal Street and Louisiana Highway 628 after the driver lost control of the vehicle while attempting to avoid spike strips that were thrown across the road ahead of the pursuit. The occupants fled the vehicle. Deputies chased one suspect on foot, apprehending him with the help of K-9 Officer Fox. The suspect was treated at the hospital for a K-9 bite and booked at the Sherman Walker Correctional Facility upon his discharge. The second suspect eluded arrest.
The victim was unharmed.
The first suspect apprehended was identified as Darrius Williams, 20, of Reserve. He was booked with armed robbery, reckless operation, resisting deputy by flight, resisting deputy after arrest, providing false information regarding identity, injuring a police animal and probation violation. Williams’ bond is $216,000 with a hold for probation.
The second suspect was identified as Jerry Weber Jr., 21, of LaPlace. He surrendered himself to authorities on Friday, Feb. 15, after learning he was wanted. He was arrested and booked with principal to armed robbery. Weber’s bond is $150,000. Both suspects remain in jail.