By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – A 37-year-old LaPlace man was robbed at gunpoint Friday evening shortly after returning home from work, according to a release from the St. John Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to the 200 block of Remy Drive in LaPlace at about 10:08 p.m. Friday shortly after the man reported the robbery, said Capt. Dane Clement, a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office.

Clement said the victim told the responding deputies when he returned from work a man dressed in all dark clothing and a handkerchief over his face approached him as he entered his garage. The suspect pointed a small black handgun at the victim and demanded he surrender his valuables. 

Clement said the victim gave the suspect his wallet and an undisclosed sum of cash. The gunman fled on foot between neighboring houses then in an unknown direction out of the area.

Based on some of the circumstances of the robbery and the fact the victim was ambushed as he returned home, Clement said that detectives believe the victim was specifically targeted, and the perpetrator was familiar with the routine of the victim.

Clement would not elaborate, citing the continuing investigation.

Anyone with information regarding the robbery is asked to call St. John the Baptist Parish detectives at 985-359-8769 or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.