LAPLACE – Labor Day crime in the River Parishes was generally low, in keeping with recent crime statistics. However, an armed robbery of a convenience store in Reserve resulted in one arrest and another being sought at press time.

Capt. Michael Tregre of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office reported the Stop-and-Save convenience store, located at the entrance of Homewood Subdivision at 3357 W. Airline Highway, was robbed at gunpoint by two men on Aug. 30.

The suspects entered the store, one armed with a sawed-off shotgun and the other with a handgun, and robbed the clerk of an undisclosed amount of cash.

However, as the pair fled the store, Deputy Darryl Marchand was driving past on patrol at 3:47 p.m. He spotted the two dash from the store, run around behind and head away into the residential area.

He stopped his unit and pursued on foot, catching up with the pair as they attempted to scale a backyard fence. Marchand drew his weapon and order the pair to halt. One did and was taken into custody. The other, already on the other side of the fence, escaped.

Rene A. Taylor, 18, of 389 E. 26th St., in Reserve, was charged with armed robbery.

Also, two hit-and-run accidents were reported, both on Aug. 30. One of the accidents, in the 700 block of Woodland Drive, involved a vehicle struck by a blue Oldsmobile Cutlass. The other involved an 18-wheeler which struck an Infiniti.

Other incidents included 11 domestic disturbance calls, which resulted in two arrests. There were also three DWI arrests, one of these underage, and four arrests for disturbing the peace by being intoxicated.

In St. Charles Parish, Capt. Patrick Yoes did not have access to all the reports but scanned the incidents from the weekend and reported “nothing earth-shattering.”

Meanwhile, in St. James Parish, Chief Haria “Butch” Williams reported a normal, quiet holiday.

“It actually has been a quiet Labor Day weekend,” he said, mentioning only “a few minor arrests and no traffic problems to speak of.”