Police and fire briefs for Jan. 25, 2013
Police seek two men in ATM holdup, fight
Police are searching for two men they say robbed a man around 4 a.m. Jan. 2 at an ATM at a Racetrac gas station, a police spokesman said.
The fight between the robbers and the victim spilled into the gas station, 3730 Harding Blvd., and into the view of a security camera, spokesman Cpl. Tommy Stubbs said in a news release.
The robbers left in a silver car, which may be a Pontiac, Stubbs said.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to contact the Armed Robbery Division at (225) 389-3845 or Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867.
Police arrest teen in shooting, robbery
Police arrested a ski-mask wearing 16-year-old boy early Thursday who is accused of shooting a man and stealing his bicycle.
The 44-year-old victim was shot three times but is expected to survive, said Lt. Don Kelly, a police spokesman.
The shooting happened about 2:30 a.m. in the 3200 block of North Foster Drive, Kelly said.
Officers responded quickly and spotted the teen riding the bike in the 2800 block of North Ardenwood Drive, he said.
“When he saw the police cars, he abandoned the bike and ran into a school bus parking lot,” Kelly said in a news release. “Officers entered the lot and found the suspect hiding there.”
Investigators recovered the stolen bike, Kelly said, and a K-9 unit found the handgun believed to have been used in the shooting.
The suspect, who was not identified, was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Juvenile Detention Center on counts of armed robbery, attempted second-degree murder, illegal use of a dangerous weapon and illegal possession of a firearm by a juvenile, Kelly said.
Paincourtville man accused of sex crime
A Paincourtville man accused of having sex with a 15-year-old girl on two occasions last year has been arrested.
Lonnie Fortner, 39, 122 Ideal St., was booked Wednesday by Baton Rouge police on two counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile, according to East Baton Rouge Parish Prison records.
According to an affidavit warrant, Fortner is accused of committing the crimes on Sept. 23 at the home of his girlfriend and on Oct. 6 inside Fortner’s vehicle.
Apartment residents escape night blaze
Several residents escaped a fire late Wednesday that caused heavy damage to a Baton Rouge apartment, authorities said.
Firefighters were called shortly after 10 p.m. to 1101 Bruce Alley and had the blaze under control about an hour later, said Robert Combs, a Fire Department spokesman, in a news release.
Investigators believe the fire began in a bedroom, Combs said, adding the flames were contained to one apartment. Two adjacent apartments sustained smoke and water damage, he said.
“All residents were able to get out of the structure safely,” Combs said in the news release.
The cause of the fire remained undetermined, but Combs said investigators do not suspect foul play.
Authorities book 3 on suspicion of DWI
Authorities arrested at least three people suspected of driving while intoxicated in East Baton Rouge Parish and booked them into Parish Prison between 2:30 p.m. Wednesday and 2:30 p.m. Thursday, booking records show.
Those booked and the counts against them:
- Reginald English, 48, 3641 Rue Delphine, New Orleans, first-offense DWI, reckless operation and improper lane usage.
- Timothy Meighan, 27, 8622 Foxfield Drive, Baton Rouge, first-offense DWI, reckless operation, speeding and fleeing to elude police.
- Angelea Ynami, 22, 4647 Earl Gros Ave., Baton Rouge, first-offense DWI, failure to maintain control and driver’s license expired.
Compiled from staff reports. To talk to a crime reporter at The Advocate, call (225) 388-0369.