Tech students held at gunpoint in most recent offense
, Reporter
11-16-2007
Ruston Police are in the process of obtaining warrants for the arrest of suspects in three recent armed robberies.
There have been five armed robberies in Ruston since Oct. 15 said Lt. Curtis Hawkins, public information officer for the Ruston Police Department.
The most recent armed robbery occurred Tuesday night at the Sigma Pi fraternity house at 619 S. Vienna St.
Police report that four members of the fraternity and three of their girlfriends were approached by two black males while they were sitting on the front porch of the house.
According to RPD reports, the males had pistols in their hands and some type of stockings covering their faces. The men pointed their weapons at each of the victims’ heads and demanded money. One of the victims was then struck on the left side of his head with a pistol. Finding that none of the victims had money on their person, the males reportedly fled on foot without taking anything of value.
Hawkins said police have a known suspect for the burglaries that occurred at the E-Z Mart convenience store on West California Avenue Nov. 6 and the E-Z Mart convenience store on South Farmerville Street Oct. 30 and are expecting a warrant for his arrest by the end of the week. He said a separate warrant is also expected for the known suspect for the armed robbery that occurred Oct. 15 at Forest Creek Apartments, located on Reynolds Drive.
Hawkins said the two convenience store robberies are not related to any of the others, and the robbery at Forest Creek also appears to be a separate incident.
“So, for three out of the five armed robberies that we’ve had lately, we have identified a suspect and are waiting on warrants to be issued by the judge’s office this week,” Hawkins said.
“The two armed robberies (on South Homer Street and South Vienna Street) are still outstanding or unsolved at this time.”
The robbers in Tuesday’s incident were described as black males both wearing some type of stockings over their face. One was approximately 6’2”, 210-240 lbs. The other was approximately 6’, 180- 200 lbs. Both were armed with handguns.
Hawkins said police are working on various leads regarding this case and the robbery that occurred on South Homer Street on Oct. 29.
“Our investigators and officers are working to hopefully bring those to a conclusion,” Hawkins said.
“Solving three out of five is a good thing. They have been working with members of the public. We are very excited to have warrants coming on these three armed robberies, and we are still plugging away at the other two.”
He said residents are encouraged to remember that they are the “eyes and ears” of the community.
“Keep your cell phone handy to call in any suspicious persons or activities,” Hawkins said. “Citizens who stay alert and are aware of their surroundings are powerful tools in assisting local law enforcement.”
Anyone with information about this crime should call Crime Stoppers at 255-1111. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of this suspect or any other felony crime.
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