Police: Robber stabbed LaPlace woman while she was motionless on floor

Published 12:15 pm Thursday, June 30, 2016

KENNER — Police said LaPlace’s Taylor Friloux was on the ground motionless when a fleeing robber stopped to stab her, ultimately inflicting the wounds that would lead to her death.

Taylor Friloux

Taylor Friloux

The crime’s gruesome details were shared during a Thursday news conference in Kenner conducted by Kenner Police Chief Michael J. Glaser and St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre.

The law enforcement officers were detailing an armed robbery turned homicide that took place at approximately 1:25 a.m. Wednesday at Raising Cane’s, located at 3344 Williams Blvd. in Kenner.

Friloux, 21, was one of the store’s shift managers.

Authorities said Mark Crocklen Jr. served as the getaway driver as Josh Every and another unidentified male entered the restaurant by force and stole $1,000 before leaving.

Joshua Every

Joshua Every

Glaser said he believes police have the unidentified male in custody, adding an official arrest and charges should be announced today.

Mark Crocklen Jr.

Mark Crocklen Jr.

Every is charged with first degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, criminal conspiracy, aggravated burglary, three counts of armed robbery and one count of aggravated assault.

Crocklen is charged with first degree murder, criminal conspiracy and three counts of armed robbery.

Glaser said Friloux was grabbed at the dumpster and forced back in after closing time, adding the perpetrators probably planned to target whoever emptied the trash.

After stealing approximately $1,000 from the restaurant, the assailants exited the store, with the last one out stabbing a motionless Friloux, who was on the ground, Glaser said.

Every is a former employee at the restaurant who quit about eight months ago.

Authorities said reports that Friloux fired Every are not true.

“I assume they thought they were going to get away with it,” Glaser said. “We have employees saying they cased the joint the night before. Mr. Every was sitting in the parking lot.”

Glaser said restaurant crewmembers indicated Every has a dislike to certain people.

“I don’t know if it is the white race or female race, he was hard to work with,” Glaser said. “Our guys are still trying to identify some type of relationship. I understand the stabbing to open the door, but you get the money and you are fleeing the store, to stop and stab someone who was motionless on her back, laying on the floor, there is something more to it.

“There is a little more hatred involved than just an armed robbery. That is another angle we’re working on, also.”

Friloux was stabbed eight times during the armed robbery. The fatal wound was to the aorta, Glaser said.

The vehicle involved in the actual robbery has not been located. It is described as a light-colored Toyota, small-bodied SUV.

Glaser said Every wore his Cain’s T-shirt during the robbery in an attempt to blend.

Police are also looking for a “young black female” that may have been associated with the crime.

Kenner police have also contacted the U.S. Attorney’s Office about possible hate crime charges.

The robbery took place after closing time, but police said a carpet cleaning crew was on scene bringing the total to approximately six people in the restaurant when it was robbed.

St. John Parish

Sheriff Mike Tregre said a relationship one of his officers had with Crocklen led to his arrest.

“When that young lady died, the suspect confided in his father,” Tregre said. “His father, having that relationship with one of our officers, contacted that officer and wanted to have his son turn himself in only to that officer.

“Those arrangements were made and his son came in and confessed.”

Tregre said he appreciated the suspect’s father.

“Even though his son did this horrific crime, he knew enough between right and wrong to have his son turn himself in,” Tregre said. “He did the right thing.”