By VICKIE JAMBON

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – A 35-year-old man from the city of Independence was recently robbed at gunpoint in the parking lot of the McDonald’s Restaurant located on Main Street, LaPlace, according to Public Information Officer Sgt. Dane Clement with the St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities were called Wednesday, Oct. 10, at 2:35 p.m. by someone reporting the incident.

When authorities arrived, the victim told them he was robbed by a black male wearing a blue cap, a white T-shirt and blue denim jeans.

Clement said the thief approached the Independence man from a neighboring truck stop entrance. He pointed a gun at the McDonald’s patron and demanded the man give him the silver chain and cross from around his neck as well as his wallet, which contained $283 in cash.

The thief got into a red, two-door vehicle driven by a second black male, and drove north on U.S. Highway 51 towards Interstate10.

Clement said authorities are conducting a thorough investigation of the crime.