By ROBIN SHANNON
Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – Authorities with the St. John Sheriff’s Office are investigating an armed robbery and purse snatching at a LaPlace pharmacy Sunday morning.

Maj. Mike Tregre, a spokesman for the SJSO, said a light skinned black male wearing a black hooded sweatshirt entered the CVS Pharmacy at 1500 W. Airline Hwy. around 8 a.m., and approached a 51-year-old Reserve woman inside the store.

Tregre said the suspect flashed a gun at the customer, whose name was not released, and told her to get money from the register. The customer walked to the checkout counter, made contact with the cashier, and explained the demands of the suspect.

Tregre said the cashier removed an undisclosed amount of money from the drawer and placed it on the counter. The suspect grabbed the money and moved toward the exit. As he was leaving the store, a 32-year-old LaPlace woman walked through the entrance. The suspect demanded her purse, and the victim complied.

Tregre said witnesses told investigators that the suspect fled the area on foot, and was last seen headed north on Carrollwood Drive. He said deputies conducted a search of the area, but were unable to find anything.

Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to contact the St. John Sheriff’s Office at 985-652-9514. Detective Juan Watkins is in charge of the investigation.