Cash 4 Less proprietors specifically targeted, cops say

LAPLACE — “Whoever it was has probably been involved in criminal activity before, and there’s a very good possibility they could do it again,” St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Tregre said Monday when talking about whoever is responsible for the January kidnapping and robbery at LaPlace’s Cash 4 Less.

More information and photographs were released Friday as authorities look to solve the case, in which Tregre said authorities are searching for at least two suspects, possibly more.

During the course of the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office investigation, video surveillance revealed a perpetrator was dropped off in front of the victims’ residence Jan. 16, an hour before the victims arrived home.

“When the victims arrived home, the perpetrator was in their residence waiting for them,” a press release from Sgt. Dane Clement said. “The perpetrator presented his weapon and forced the victims to drive to their business at 1001 West Airline Highway, where he forced the victims to put cash in a plastic bag.”

Tregre said the Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in finding the car used to drop off the perpetrator. Detectives believe that car is a burgundy or dark-colored 1992-97 Ford Crown Victoria or Mercury Grand Marquis.

“The car does not appear to have tinted windows, has white wall tires on the rear passenger side and front driver side and no hubcaps on any of the wheels,” Clement said.

Tregre said he has begun to communicate with media sources outside of the River Region in efforts to raise awareness about the sought vehicle.

The victims told authorities the assailant asked them where their safe was, and after realizing there was no safe at the residence, the armed man forced the couple to drive him to their store. The victims said when they arrived at the store, the assailant demanded money and the victims surrendered an undisclosed amount of cash to the suspect, who then fled the scene.

Tregre said deputies who responded to Cash 4 Less learned the assailant fled on foot to the rear of the store toward the railroad tracks. Tregre said deputies searched the area to no avail, adding no one was injured in the robbery.

“Without question, the person who is responsible had unique knowledge of his victim, the victim’s whereabouts and the victim’s routine,” Tregre said previously, adding it is very possible others helped coordinate the crime.

Tregre would not go into detail about the gunman’s demeanor during the kidnapping, but added the victims described the suspect as a black man, approximately 5’6” tall and 200 pounds, wearing white gloves, blue jeans and a dark-colored, hooded sweatshirt with a red bandana over his face.

Anyone who can identify the man or with information in the case is encouraged to call the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office TIPS line at 985-359-TIPS or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.

Residents can also submit information on the Sheriff’s Office website at stjohnsheriff.org/submitatip.php.