By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE –St. John the Baptist Parish authorities are investigating an attempted robbery at the Wal-Mart Supercenter store in LaPlace early Monday, said a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office.

According to Capt. Dane Clement, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office, store personnel told deputies two men entered the store at 1616 W. Airline Highway through an unlocked door about 1:36 a.m. and approached an employee who was cleaning the floor.

Clement said the men forced the employee behind the store’s customer service desk, tied him up and told him to lie on the floor. The suspects, believed to be in their early to mid 20s, did not show a weapon and made no indication they had one.

Clement said the suspects then attempted to open a cash register but were unsuccessful, and they fled the store taking nothing. He said investigators believe a third subject driving a truck picked up the pair as they exited the store.

“Once the men left the store the tied up employee freed himself and reported the incident to his supervisor, who called authorities,” Clement said. “No one was injured during the incident.”

Clement said one suspect was described as a 260-pound male, about 5 feet, 8 inches tall and wearing a white long sleeve shirt and black pants. The other was a 190-pound male, about 6 feet tall, wearing all black clothing, black sunglasses and a black hat. There was no description of the third subject who was driving the truck.

Detectives have no suspects at this time, and anyone with information regarding the robbery should call St. John Parish detectives at 985-359-8769 or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.