Bat-weilding robber sought by HPD

Tri-Parish Times

Houma detectives are analyzing surveillance photos taken on the evening of Nov. 3, capturing an armed robbery in progress at a local bank.

The Houma Police Department received a call referencing an attempted armed robbery and sent officers at 7:04 p.m. to the Chase Bank, located at 1402 St. Charles St. The 51-year-old female victim was accessing a walk-up, automatic teller machine when she was approached, according to police.

“Not often do we get incidents like this,” said Houma Police spokesman Todd Duplantis. “This has been the first-time in awhile that we have had an ATM robbery.”

According to the spokesman, the suspect was described as a young, white male, perhaps 16 years old, wearing a white shirt with a blue hood and khaki pants. Armed with an aluminum bat, he confronted the woman and demanded cash.

When the victim objected, the suspect first struck the hood of her vehicle and then struck the victim in the hand with the bat. Duplantis reported that the victim was not transported for medical treatment, but did receive minor cuts on her finger.

He said the victim was said to be alone, on foot.

“After that, the kid took-off running down Southdown West, so we are thinking he lives close,” said Duplantis. “Someone will probably recognize him.”

The failed robbery attempt left the suspect running without the cash, he said.

The victim’s name and identity are not being released while the suspect remains at-large. Currently there are no leads but Duplantis said detectives are busy analyzing the pictures and there may be more coming out.

The photos were taken by Chase security cameras, he said.

“The pictures say a lot, and so we are just hoping that someone will recognize him and call,” said Duplantis.

If apprehended, the suspect may serve some substantial time because he hit the victim, on top of attempted armed robbery charges, the spokesman said.

Bat-weilding robber sought by HPD