Press Releases

Armed Robbery suspects caught

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

On Tuesday, March 21, 2005 at approximately 8:25 pm Lafayette Sheriff's Office deputies responded to an armed robbery at Tibs Corner Store located at 801 South Richfield.

Witnesses said that a black male and a Hispanic male entered the store at about 8:20 pm, and the black male pulled a semi-automatic pistol and demanded money from the clerk. The suspects took a small safe from behind the counter and fled the store in an older model, light colored Oldsmobile and headed north on South Richfield Road. A Sheriff's Office K-9 unit responded to the scene, spotted the suspect vehicle, and followed it to a residence on Credeur Road in Acadia Parish. Three people attempted to leave the residence in the suspect vehicle, but after seeing the deputies they exited the vehicle and fled on foot. LPSO deputies, assisted by Acadia Parish deputies, immediately captured two of the suspects. The third was caught shortly afterward by a canine officer. The stolen safe was recovered in the suspect vehicle.

Three people were charged with armed robbery: 26 year old Luis Olvera from Illinois, 38 year old Joseph Batiste from Lafayette, and 32 year old Shannon Hoolihan from Carencro. Each is being held on a $250,000 bond.

Lt Craig Stansbury
Public Information Officer
Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office
236-5876