By LEONARD GRAY – Managing Editor

LAPLACE – A mid-morning armed robbery at Community Bank has brought in the FBI as the lead agency for the investigation.

Capt. Michael Tregre of the St. John Sheriff’s Office reported that two men entered the bank, located at 590 Belle Terre Blvd., just before 9:43 a.m. Thursday.

At that time, Tregre continued, a holdup alarm was received by the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office, and deputies rushed to the scene.

Meanwhile, the men, armed with handguns, took their positions. One stood by the door as lookout, while the second leaped the tellers’ counter and scooped an undetermined amount of cash into a sack, according to Tregre.

The men were wearing bush Afro-style wigs, dark sunglasses and baseball caps, the police spokesman added.

No one was injured in the robbery, and the men escaped in a blue vehicle, later abandoned on their way to Interstate 10.

Tregre said it was later determined to have been stolen in Hattiesburg, Miss.

“We’re pursuing leads, but right now, the FBI is conducting the investigation,” Tregre said, and further updates would come through the FBI.

Bank robberies are commonly handled by the FBI, as deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Tregre said.