Violet man booked in armed robbery of a man he knew and a woman who was with the victim booked as a principal to robbery for allegedly setting him up
A 24-year-old Violet man has been booked with the Dec. 29 armed robbery of a man he knew and a 25-year-old woman who was with the victim when it happened was booked as a principal to robbery for allegedly setting him up, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.
Jerome Gabriel was arrested Jan. 3 in Violet after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest following an investigation by sheriff’s detectives, Sheriff Pohlmann said. Gabriel was also booked with possession of a small amount of marijuana he had when he was found by sheriff’s deputies with the Street Crimes Division.
Ireielle Lafrance of Violet, who had been in a vehicle with the victim in Violet when he was forced out of it and robbed, was booked on one count of being a principal to armed robbery, Sheriff Pohlmann said.
The victim, who wasn’t injured, was robbed of a large amount of cash, the sheriff said, and reported that several men were involved, saying he could recognize Gabriel, whom he knew. The victim also said that when he was approached by the robbers the woman took his car keys so he couldn’t drive off, the sheriff said.
Both Gabriel and Lafrance have criminal histories that include previous arrests for drugs.
Gabriel is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of bond set at $250,000 while Lafrance is jailed in lieu of $100,000 bond.
Anyone with information about the other people involved in the robbery should call the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 and they could be eligible for a reward if a tip leads to an arrest.