Three suspects are in custody for armed robberies that occurred this morning at convenience stores in Shreveport and Bethany, Texas. Detectives say the three could be responsible for a string of convenience store robberies that have taken place in three jurisdictions over the past several weeks.
The suspects, whose identities have not yet been released, were arrested following a traffic stop on Locust Hill Road by Caddo Parish Deputy Mike King and Greenwood Police Sgt. Stacy Poarch. All were taken to the Caddo Sheriff's Criminal Investigation Division and were expected to be officially booked later today.
Area law enforcement officers were on the lookout for the robbery suspects this morning after Shreveport Police reported an armed robbery at 8:50 a.m. at the Texaco in the 9400 block of Mansfield Road. Two suspects entered the business armed with a gun and stole money from the store and a purse from the clerk.
At 9:25 a.m., Panola County sheriff's deputies reported a similar armed robbery at the Thrift Way in Bethany, Texas. Two suspects entered the business and took money at gunpoint.
Less than 10 minutes later, Deputy King was traveling southbound on Hwy. 79 in Caddo Parish when he passed a white Ford Explorer headed northbound. Although no vehicle information had been released in today's robberies, King recalled that a white SUV was used in several recent armed robberies of Shreveport businesses. King turned his patrol vehicle around and began to follow the SUV, noting that there were several possible suspects inside.
The vehicle turned onto Locust Hill Road where King and Poarch made the traffic stop. All three suspects tried to flee. Two were taken into custody at the vehicle, while the third fled on foot.
Within minutes, officers from Shreveport and Greenwood police departments, the Caddo and Panola sheriff's offices, and the Panola County Constables Office arrived and set up a perimeter to locate the third suspect. Two K-9s and about 25 deputies and officers surrounded the area. While maintaining the perimeter, an SPD Special Response Team officer spotted the third suspect lying on the ground. The suspect then surrendered.
Officers also recovered a gun, a mask, a bandana used to conceal their identity, and an undisclosed amount of money at the scene of the arrests.
The three were taken to the Caddo Sheriff's CID office for questioning. One of the suspects identified himself as being 15 years old, although his identity had not yet been confirmed.
