Detectives ID suspects in robbery of Kansas man

Published 12:00 am Saturday, June 5, 2010

By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE –St. John the Baptist Parish authorities are looking for two men accused of robbing a Kansas man at a gas station late last week.

According to a Sheriff’s Office release, on May 28, the 33-year-old man from Lawrence, Kan., stopped at a gas station in the 400 block of Belle Terre Boulevard about 6:50 p.m. to clean and refuel his car when two men in a black Ford Ranger approached his vehicle.

Capt. Dane Clement, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office, deputies have determined the two suspects are Jovi Christopherson, 19, of Lafayette, and Michael Hill, 20, of Reserve. Clement would say what led investigators to determine the two men’s involvement.

According to the release, as the victim was vacuuming his vehicle, one of the suspects asked the man if he had any money. Clement said the man told the suspect he had money, and the suspect demanded the victim hand it all over to him.

“Fearing harm and not knowing what was going to happen, the victim gave the suspect all of the money,” Clement said. “The suspect gave no indication that he had a gun, and once they had the money, both men fled the scene in the truck.”

Clement said detectives have issued warrants for both suspects. Any who may know the whereabouts of Christopherson and Hill should call St. John Parish detectives at 985-359-8769 or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.