An alert Sheriff’s Deputy and teamwork led to the quick apprehension of an Armed Robbery Suspect on Sunday according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Victor Jones.
On Sunday morning March 8 at approximately 9:45am, Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Division responded to 911 reports of an Armed Robbery with a Knife at Tommy’s Grocery located in the 2300 block of La. Hwy 494 south of Natchitoches, La.
The store clerk informed NatCom 911 operators that he had been robbed of an undetermined amount of cash and injured after being attacked by the armed suspect with a knife.
Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS also responded to the scene.
Lt. Mike Wilson while on patrol had just passed the business minutes prior to the robbery, recalled observing a gold Nissan passenger car occupied by male parked at the store.
NatCom 911 operators issued a BOLO (Be on the Lookout) for the vehicle to local and surrounding law enforcement agencies.
Detectives assigned to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division also responded to the scene to assist in the investigation.
The victim wearing several layers of clothing stabbed multiple times in the back, arm and under the chin was treated and released at the scene.
Detectives and responding deputies interviewed the victim, processed and photographed the crime scene for evidence.
Twenty-Five minutes later at approximately 10:10am, Natchitoches Police stopped a gold 2002 Nissan Altima just off the Bypass on La. Hwy 1 with a male matching the description of the armed robbery suspect.
Detectives, Patrol Deputies and Task Force Criminal Patrol Units responded to assist.
Agents obtained permission to search the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, agents discovered approximately $181 in US currency (the same amount reported taken) and two knives in the vehicle.
The operator of the vehicle identified as 21-year-old Tyler Sadarious Charles, of Natchitoches was taken into custody and transported to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division for interview purposes.
Detectives say during the interview, review of surveillance video and other physical evidence, they obtained sufficient evidence and probable cause to obtain a criminal arrest warrant signed by a Tenth Judicial District Court Judge for the arrest of Charles.
Tyler S. Charles, 21, of the 600 block of Quida Drive, Natchitoches, La. was transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with 1-count of Armed Robbery and 1-count of Attempted 2nd Degree Murder.
No bond is currently set.
Detectives say the physical evidence will be submitted to the crime lab for DNA analysis pending criminal proceedings.
Sheriff Victor Jones thanks the quick action of all deputies involved in the investigation and Natchitoches Police Department for their actions in a safe apprehension of the suspect.
The investigation is still active.
The case will be turned over to the Natchitoches District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Involved in the investigation were: Lt. M. Wilson, Sgt. J. Augustus, Detective C. LaCour, Reserve Deputy M. Williams, and Natchitoches Police Department.
