By Stephen Hemelt
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Keys were the only thing stolen this week, thankfully, when a man forced his way into an elderly LaPlace woman’s home in a strong-arm robbery attempt.

No injuries were reported, but St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies are looking for a young black man, who was wearing a white T-shirt, black pants and a black or brown cap with “Louisiana” across it.

Authorities said he was riding an old-style, green bike and had a gold tooth in the upper left portion of his mouth.

A picture police feel shows the man on his bike was released to the public this week.

Sgt. Dane Clement said the photo was obtained from a resident’s private surveillance and not from the parish’s crime cameras.

The case began at 2:12 p.m. Monday, when deputies responded to an apartment in the 300 block of Fairway Drive in LaPlace following a robbery report.

A 70-year-old female victim told deputies she was unloading her car when a man approached her from behind, forced her into the residence and demanded money. She told him the money was in the car and handed him the keys.

“When the perpetrator attempted to pull his bicycle in the residence, the victim forced the subject out of the residence and locked the door,” Clement said. “He fled the area with her keys.”

Medical treatment was not required for the victim, authorities said.

“There is nothing to indicate (the victim) was pointed out,” Clement said. “Unless the investigation reveals something different, at this time it does not (seem the victim was specifically targeted).”

Deputies canvassed the area looking for the perpetrator, but no suspect was found. The lost set of keys are the only items reported stolen.

Detectives are seeking any home video surveillance from the area that may have captured activity during this time.

Officers said they spotted the suspect Thursday in the vicinity of Ash Street and Park Place Subdivision.

Authorities said he managed to escape by possibly entering a residence on the bike. Investigators think the suspect resides in the area.