By Leonard Gray / L’Observateur / February 4, 1998

LAPLACE – A St. John Parish deputy had a narrow escape when an armedrobbery suspect pulled a gun on him Thursday night.

“He was extremely fortunate and can thank God,” commented Chief HaroldKlibert of the officer.

The suspect instead ran across Airline Highway and tried to escape thedragnet thrown over the area, which resulted in the arrest of Cornelius J.Fobb, 42, 619 Hawk St., LaPlace.

Fobb was charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault, possession ofdrug paraphernalia, resisting an officer by flight and three counts ofcontempt of court.

Klibert reported the female clerk working at the Circle K, 309 East AirlineHighway, was working in the stock room at 7:51 p.m. when the suspectentered wearing a stocking mask over his face.

According to Klibert, the robber pointed a gun at the clerk’s back and toldher to “Give it up!” She handed over the currency from the register and, athis direction, the quarters from the cash drawer.

At that time Cpl. Michael Weber of the sheriff’s Special OperationsDivision happened upon the robbery in progress. The panicked robberbriefly pointed his weapon at the officer, then turned and ran across thehighway, discarding his stocking mask at the same time.

Weber alerted other officers and gave chase across the Kansas CitySouthern Railroad tracks. Fobb was spotted hiding near a house, Klibertsaid, and the arrest was made in the area of Kildeer and Bluebird streets.

A crack pipe was reported recovered during a search of the suspect,Klibert noted, which resulted in the additional charge of possession ofdrug paraphernalia.

The cash from the robbery was recovered, but not the weapon, Klibert said.He added the incident was caught on the store surveillance camera.

Likewise, Klibert added, Fobb was reportedly identified by the cashier,who said she recognized his voice and manner of walking. Fobb was alsoallegedly identified by Weber, as the suspect had a burglary conviction.

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