[StBernard] St. Bernard Parish deputies search for man who tried to scam, then robbed elderly driver

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Parish deputies search for man who tried to scam, then robbed
elderly driver
By Bob Warren, The Times-Picayune 
December 17, 2009, 5:16PM

The St. Bernard Sheriff's Office is searching for man who pretended that he
had been struck by a vehicle driven by an elderly man then robbed the man
after asking for money.

The incident occurred in the parking lot of a Chalmette store in the 1900
block of East Judge Perez Drive on Dec. 11. A witness followed the younger
man as he ran from the scene, but lost sight of him, the Sheriff's Office
said in a news release.

The driver, an 80-year-old man, was driving in the parking lot when the
younger man pretended that the driver had rolled over his foot. When the
driver got out of his vehicle, the younger man said he would not report the
incident if the driver gave him money. He then grabbed around $30 from the
driver's hand as he took money from his wallet.

Two witnesses said they saw the younger man slap the side of the victim's
car, pretending he had been hit, then approach the driver, authorities said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at
504.271.2501 or Crimestoppers at 504.822.1111. 

The robber was wearing an oversized red and black flannel top and khaki
pants, is about 6 feet tall with brown hair, a brown goatee and a black
tattoo on his neck, authorities said.

The wanted person had been in the store and apparently shoplifted several
items before leaving, according to a store surveillance tape.