[StBernard] Man trying to buy marijuana robbed, shot in St. Bernard Parish

[Westley Annis]

Man trying to buy marijuana robbed, shot in St. Bernard Parish
by The Times-Picayune 
Tuesday May 12, 2009, 2:37 PM
A St. Bernard Parish man who was robbed of $3,600 as he tried to buy
marijuana returned to the area later to confront the robbers and was shot in
the leg, authorities said.

Three Violet men have been arrested in the case. The man who was shot was
not seriously hurt. 

Byron Sakobie, 26, of the St. Bernard community, was robbed of $3,600
Saturday while allegedly trying to buy marijuana in Violet, authorities
said. He returned to the area later that night looking for the men who
robbed him, but was hit in the leg when a shot was fired at the vehicle he
was in. 

"When someone sets out to buy drugs they risk becoming a victim of violent
crime," Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann said. "Fortunately the victim in
this case wasn't more seriously injured and we were able to clear this
quickly by arrest." 

Frank Macklin Williams, 18, was booked Monday with attempted murder and
armed robbery. Two others, Glennard Garnett, 25, and Timmery Barthelemy, 29,
were booked with armed robbery, Pohlmann said. 

Williams is being held in lieu of $300,000 bond. Garnett and Barthelmy are
being held in lieu of $150,000 bonds. 

Sakobie was taken to University Hospital for treatment and later released. 

Pohlmann said the investigation will continue, including interviewing
Sakobie again now that he has been released. No guns or money have been
recovered, but four bullet casings were recovered in the 2300 block of
Licciardi Lane in Violet, authorities said. 

Sakobie, who admitted after the robbery he had been trying to buy marijuana,
identified Garnett, who was arrested Sunday. Further investigation led to
Williams, who authorities said has admitted shooting Sakobie but said
Sakobie claimed he had a gun when he returned.