Sheriff’s Office arrests a second New Orleans man in May 31 armed robbery of an Arabi business; Four men were involved

A second New Orleans man has been arrested in a May 31 armed robbery of a pay-day loan business in Arabi and two more men are being sought, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Kendrick Wells, 36, was arrested by a U.S. Marshal’s Service Fugitive Task Force in New Orleans early Tuesday as he attempted to flee a house, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Evidence related to the robbery was seized in the arrest, the sheriff said.

Wells, who was wanted on an arrest warrant issued by a St. Bernard judge following an investigation by sheriff’s detectives, is the second of four men arrested in the May 31 incident, officials said.

Wells was transported by a sheriff’s deputy from New Orleans to the St. Bernard Parish Prison on Tuesday and was booked with armed robbery. No bond has been set pending an appearance before a magistrate judge. Wells has had previous arrests for burglary, drug-dealing and drug possession.

Also, a $200,000 bond has been set for Rodrick Natteel, 36, arrested Saturday by sheriff’s detectives, who also seized the getaway vehicle, a Trail Blazer, used in the robbery of a pay day loan business in Arabi, the sheriff said.

Nattell was on parole after serving 12 years as an accessory to murder in New Orleans, was booked with armed robbery and is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison, the sheriff said.

Three black men, all carrying guns and covering their faces, entered the business in the 7500 block of West Judge Perez Drive in Arabi at about 10:50 a.m. on May 31 and demanded money, robbing the store and several customers, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

No one was injured.

A fourth man was involved as the driver of the getaway vehicle, the sheriff said.