Casino robbery arrests

BY JEFF MOORE
THE DAILY IBERIAN
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 2:14 PM CST

CHARENTON — Two suspects were arrested Tuesday morning  following an armed robbery at Cypress Bayou Casino.

Richard W. Owens, 48, of Basile, was charged with armed robbery. His alleged accomplice, Randy J. Girouard, of New Iberia, was charged as an accessory.

Patrick Darden, executive director of the Chitimacha Tribal Gaming Commission, said a gunman entered the casino around 5 a.m. and demanded money from a cashier. The suspect jumped across the counter, removed about $100,000 in cash and exited the casino.

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Darden said the man got into a waiting vehicle driven by an accomplice.

Officers with the Chitimacha Police Department, with assistance from the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana State Police, apprehended the two men a short time later at the intersection of Louisiana 182 and Ralph Darden Drive.

Darden said at some point during the pursuit, one of the men tried to back the vehicle into a police officer who was on foot.

Owens also was charged with attempted murder of a police officer and flight from an officer.

Darden said no casino employees or customers were injured in the robbery. He said all of the money was recovered.

Copyright © 2009 The Daily Iberian

Comments

    Megan Arceneaux wrote on Mar 23, 2008 4:56 AM:

    " I grew up with the whole Owen family, & I have to say the Richard was always the good one. He was always the one us kids looked up to. My dad built him & his late wife's house. Richard was a great husband and dad and after the death of Mrs. Owen I have to say he did change. No one is perfect we all make mistakes. I lost a really close friend & I was sick and did things I regret but at the moment you just dont care. N ma prayers!! Best of Luck!!!! "

    a friend wrote on Mar 10, 2008 5:47 AM:

    " as a friend of richard's, i'd like to say a few things... 1) i've been reading these comments for awhile now and although it's good people can post/write what's on their minds, thoughtless and hurtful words aren't gonna make anyone (including poster) feel any better. 2) Pray is great and all, but GOD isn't the one that's gonna judge Them here on earth, that's most likely gonna be by a Chitimacha hired judge; in a Chitimacha Court of Law. I wish them both "good luck". 3) Thank God nobody was physically hurt in this ordeal. PEACE "

    Absolutely Disgusted. wrote on Mar 2, 2008 7:27 PM:

    " First of all, Should Have, Could Haves, we all know don't count, This is what is wrong with the world today, to many over opinionated people. From the family of Randy, family obviously sticks by your side, it's called unconditional love. Was it right? Absolutely not. Only God can judge, so get off your computers and stop passing judgment. Keep your opinions in your own home. The families did not ask to be tormented by your words, They are already dealing with enough just like everyone involved the bashing they are getting when they did not choose their family. Pray for everyone. "

    NL wrote on Feb 27, 2008 12:42 AM:

    " We are not responsible for the actions of our siblings, but any good family member would stand by his/her brother.
    Sister is doing what so many other families do...stick together. I would most certainly want to defend my brother's honor no matter his actions. She speaks from her heart, a heart that loves her brother. Right or wrong families love unconditionally. Our opinions of The Owens Family are based on what we've read and what we think or may know. We are entitled to ours just as she is to hers. "

    Apple wrote on Feb 26, 2008 10:38 AM:

    " I can't believe what I've been reading. EXCUSES for armed robbery!? You've got to be kidding me! A man put people's lives in danger. Just because someone "snaps", we're supposed to move past his idiotic actions?

    To Sister - SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED because of his stupid actions - and that's justifiable by you, because "he's a good man" ?

    If I were you, Sister, I would be spending my time making sure that my own brother doesn't "snap" again.

    Love Him? Yes. But make excuses? No.
    "

    reply to neighbor wrote on Feb 25, 2008 9:27 AM:

    " You know what right now I could say some really ugly things about you but I choose not to because I considered you to be a friend and I can't help your situation right now and I feel for you but to attack me right now because of your hurt is just wrong. You are worried that someone is talking but that is just embarrassment, I'll pray for your situation but trying to slander someone in that way is cowardly and wrong! Consider what you say before you say it,you better know what your saying before you say it. "

    Raoul Duke wrote on Feb 24, 2008 5:34 PM:

    " When the going get's weird, the weird turn pro-you people out there need to get a life and pray that if you screw up you are not judged by people like you. "

    Neighbor wrote on Feb 24, 2008 4:44 PM:

    " Sister is the first one to judge when it comes to other people business. She tends to be what people call "messy". I bet you haven't had to much to say when something is going on in your family. I hope they don't judge your brother like you judge others without knowing the whole story. I hope your bother gets help and I hope this makes your think before you talk about your neighbors business. "

    Bobbi wrote on Feb 24, 2008 2:56 PM:

    " Everyone is judging the accused based on heresay. Each person has a right to a defense and fair trial in this country; so, let the COURTS decide the accused fates. For "Sister", she is defending her brother the best way she knows how. She has never said he was innocent. She was just trying to let people know that this was out of his character. Everyone should stop and think about the families involved, rather it being the accused or the victims. My prayers are with the TWO WOMEN in the cage, Richard, Randy and all their family members. "

    Jarred James Breaux wrote on Feb 23, 2008 5:01 AM:

    " It appears that a suspect's sister is using projection, proclaimation that some sinister evil, such as the devil, "made him do it." That is a weak argument to say the least. People are responsible for their own actions, regardless of hard times and whether he was drunk or not. We all know cold-blooded killers are mentally ill, but the vast majority are never convicted on insanity. They are held liable for their own actions. The devil did not make your brother do this, sister. He chose to do this himself. "

    Think First wrote on Feb 22, 2008 8:57 AM:

    " To Sister. I am a wife of a policeman and what your brother was uncalled for. What if he would have decided to start shooting at the policeman and my husband would have been shot. Who would be taking of my family? No one because people like you would be making excuses for him. He deserves everything he gets and more. I feel for your family because you are in denial about what he did making excuses for him. Everyone has hard times but people turn to god not the devil. Think about what could have happened. "

    blondie wrote on Feb 21, 2008 12:43 PM:

    " To Mexican Immigrant...FYI, That's exactly what this forum is for..people to share their thoughts.They made it everyones business by robbing the casino and getting caught.DUH! "

    Blondie wrote on Feb 21, 2008 8:21 AM:

    " We all have jobs, some of us cannot just sit back and read foolishness on a daily basis, if some comments weren't so moronic no one would respond. That's the point of this forum for different points of view, I just think alot of people don't think before they type. "

    Mexican Immigrant wrote on Feb 20, 2008 5:45 PM:

    " Please Get a Job people. Let God jugde Randy and Richard, because what these men did is their business. So Please, keep the though to yourself. If it's not nice Don't say it!!!!!!!!!!! "

    blondie wrote on Feb 19, 2008 4:16 PM:

    " People PLEASE quit making excuses for your kin folk, better to apologize than make excuses. I've been drunk, been through difficulties, etc. and so has my family and friends...And none of us ever robbed a place or even thought about it for that matter.Most of the population does not either. Sorry your family had to go through this, but I'm sick of people making excuses for the horrible things family members do. And to blame it on the casino and the indians, well that's just idiotic. "

    And the little bird says wrote on Feb 19, 2008 1:32 AM:

    " To all: I'm sure the situation was and is embarrassing and tragic for 1. The Tribe 2. Employees that were involved 3. People enjoying themselves that day 4. Family members of the accused and 5. The two accused of the crime. Pray for them all! The accused are presumed innocent until found guilty. Public opinion is only that - opinion. However, fact is fact. An unlawful act was committed that day, and law enforcement got the job done! Thank you! "

    son wrote on Feb 18, 2008 10:46 PM:

    " These men, or shall I say fools, thought they could rob a casino and get away with it. They better be glad they are alive and not shot like they do in Vages. My mother was one a victim of the casino robbery and to think that they put a loaded pistol to her just makes me sick. They should get the BOOK thrown at them!!!!! "

    honey wrote on Feb 18, 2008 9:08 PM:

    " First of all, "the casino" does not force anyone to indulge, it's your own free will to indulge. You have the right to say no thank you. Second "the casino", is an entertainment business, we do not try to take anyone's money. We do however try to give you entertainment for your money. What happened just happened for whatever reason. This man was a very nice man, very polite. I was not there when it happened but I asure you the casino was not responsible for his actions, he didn't drink. "

    City Fire wrote on Feb 18, 2008 8:49 PM:

    " I agree, there is no excuse for the crime. But to those of us who knew Richard, we are shocked. This is a very intelligent and nice man. Grieving people who do not get help for a loss of life can act outside of their personally. I hope Richard will be alright, as well as his family. His friends will have him in our thoughts and prayers. The rest of you will not understand, until something similar happens in your family. Grief is very powerful. "

    An Indian wrote on Feb 18, 2008 7:00 PM:

    " To the free drinks trick person... You know what, if you can't be strong enough to say no to the person that offers you a drink at the casino then you deserve to get whats coming to you. The Indians don't make you drink at the casino. It's your choice to drink. If you are too weak to say no then that's your problem. Your remark was just too ridiculous to pass up. Do you know how stupid you sounded? Read your response again from an open-minded sense and see just how stupid that was. Sincerely, an Indian "

    Sick of excuses wrote on Feb 18, 2008 6:27 PM:

    " Who cares why they did what they did? There is no excuse for armed robbery. They are lucky they were not shot on site. Those of you making excuses make me sick. That is exactly why we have so much crime today. "

    Charles wrote on Feb 18, 2008 4:24 PM:

    " To all who are trying to plead the case of the accused here in this forum, whether or not you feel justified and have good intentions, you could be jeopardizing and/or damaging their chances for a fair trial, if and when that ever happens. Relatives or not, you are not helping them by ranting here regarding their "innocence" or justification of why they committed the alleged crime(s). To those who blame the Casino and the way it operates, you appear to be rationalizing. Nice try, but that dog don't hunt! "

    who wants to know the truth! wrote on Feb 18, 2008 2:32 PM:

    " The casino and them drinking has nothing to do with them robbing the casino! How about you ask the guy they were currently doing work for? The guy who paid them 8 thousand dollars in advance to do restoration at a home, and then had to fire them for never showing up at work? Yea go ahead ask him who gave them four days to come up with the money! By the way the day they robbed it was the day the money was due or lawyers were getting called! hmmmmmmm think about it friends! "

    Deborah White wrote on Feb 18, 2008 9:44 AM:

    " Since the arrest of the casino robbery the robberies in Jeanerette have either slowed down or stopped as we have heard nothing else regarding this or is it that robberies are still occuring in Jeanerette that we are going un-notified about. Has anyone else noticed this? Does Richard Owens and Randy J. Girouard have previous criminal records? "

    tina wrote on Feb 18, 2008 8:14 AM:

    " to whom it may concern these boys must have had it plan you do the crime then do the time . my mother had cancer you did not see me go rob that is an excuse they need to take there lick just like everyone else who thinks that its ok to rob the one with all those kids should of thougt of them be for doing what he done "

    sister wrote on Feb 18, 2008 8:06 AM:

    " Continued, I have both of my neighbors on both sides of me that work at the casino and lots of friends and relatives so don't say things you don't know about. "

    sister wrote on Feb 18, 2008 8:05 AM:

    " Yes he is still in, and I won't talk about the details cause as you can see there is many that have a different opinion. And it doesn't matter to us what some people think the many calls that we are getting from people that know us and our family know better and that's all that counts,we have talked to spirital advisors and he is on a extensive prayer list and whatever God leads the authority to do is what will be. And to the idiot that wrote about the liquor in a casino my brother doesn't drink! "

    beri wrote on Feb 18, 2008 7:57 AM:

    " I know Randy personally and let me say first..i am not sure what his motive was but that boy is stuck on stupid! he had just gotten married three days before, and has two children and a wife at home he needs to be taking care of. he deserves every thing he gets. if it were up to me, he would be in jail for the maximum allowed. "

    Unreal wrote on Feb 18, 2008 4:40 AM:

    " If You Can't Do The Time Don't Do The Crime!! Has the sister or anyone else though about the casino employees that were terrorized by this act. How about THEIR feelings? These employees work hard and long hours to make a living and get little appreciation from customers. I'm sorry this happened but "He just Snapped" is no excuse. Also to the person who wrote that the Chitimacha's want to make an example of them, what planet are you from. A criminal act (Armed Robbery) is a aganist the law anywhere you go. GET REAL PEOPLE "

    Free Drinks a dirty casino Trick wrote on Feb 17, 2008 9:47 PM:

    " These guys were in the casino all day. The casino gives free drinks to make weak people lose all their money when they lose the ability to reason normally. They were so drunk on Indian casino liquor they didn't even know what they were doing. Everyone who is not drunk out of their mind knows casinos have cameras everywhere and can't get away with casino robbery. Indian casinos are using the whitemans double crossing trick of getting their victims drunk, then rob them blind when they have lost their ability to reason or resist temptation. "

    Ashley Orduna wrote on Feb 17, 2008 4:10 PM:

    " I am sick and tired of family members trying to justify what their family member did was okay, and as society we should give them a pass; because of "But they are a really good person deep down", and second "How would you feel if this happened to you?"
    Boo Hoo, I'm sopposed to feel sorry for you b/c your family member broke the law and committed a serious felony, and risked people's lives over a couple of dollars? He broke the law, he deserves to be punished, you don't agree with me?Don't show up for his sentencing date! "

    CONCERNED wrote on Feb 17, 2008 10:56 AM:

    " SISTER, IS HE STILL INCARCERATED ANDIF SO, CAN HE BOND OUT?..IVE PLAYED CARDS WITH HIM A NUMBER OF TIMES AND IM STUNNED, LIKE THE REST OF YALL... "

    wow wrote on Feb 16, 2008 4:59 PM:

    " I know this guy. Something snapped in his mind. He would have never done this. A Christian man that fell. I think he knew what would happen and he wanted his life to end and knew he could not take his own life because of where it would lead him. Pray for him. He is crying out for the Lord. "

    sister wrote on Feb 16, 2008 11:35 AM:

    " Thank you Tammy & Understanding, at least I know some people have hearts and understand when a tragedy like this takes place that there is family members and we cry and suffer. But with God's love and the support of our family and MANY friends we will get through this. Whatever happens however long it takes we will help him rebuild his life. To Randy's family I pray for you too. "

    tammy wrote on Feb 15, 2008 7:36 PM:

    " To Julio...I can understand that they did something wrong and they should be punished to a certain extinct. But i bet you would not recommend the death penalty if they were a member of your family. It's easy to run your mouth when the shoe is on the other foot. My prayers are with these two guys family. "

    understanding wrote on Feb 15, 2008 6:52 PM:

    " To Sister: I understand and know exactly what you are feeling and talking about. I feel for you and your family. However, you should have better things to do and more important things to worry about than trying to convince people who are perfect and have never made any mistakes in their lives, how to be sympathetic. They wont understand until their family is in the headlines. Good luck. "

    how stupid wrote on Feb 15, 2008 3:52 PM:

    " I'm telling you these people that robbed the casino were in the casino day in and day out every single day. They were playing in that casino earlier that night and left and came back i don['t know what made them think they could rob the casino and get away with it he must have been real stupid are homeless one of the two either way he must have really wanted to go to jail that day "

    sister wrote on Feb 15, 2008 3:24 PM:

    " Dear Julio SUCH IGNORANCE! Are you the LORD THY GOD? You can't commit defermation by saying there intent. Don't you understand what you read,I didn't say because of cancer, I said since. Someone doesn't just wake up and decide Oh I will rob a casino today, something led him there. I thank God that something stopped him and now he can get help and pay for his crime, and no one got killed. FYI he has a BIG family and we pay taxes and if this fixes him SO BE IT. You need help for the words you speak. "

    Seioursly wrote on Feb 15, 2008 9:04 AM:

    " I am not passing judgement. The law is the law, and when ARMED robbery takes place there is always to potential that someone could have been killed. While I can sympothise and understand tradey can affect people in many ways, you must be held accountable for your actions. Please understand I will pray for these men, but I do believe they should be punished (justly). "

    julio wrote on Feb 15, 2008 8:17 AM:

    " Both Randy and Richard had every intent on inflicting harm on employees and patrons. To say that one is "innocent" is completely stupid. To try and say that one did this because of personal tragedy, cancer, is completely STUPID. The only prayers that these two deserve is a prayer for the death penalty. They should have turned the gun on themselves before being apprehended and save us all the tax dollars of having to waste time and money to house these two felons in a jail and waste the time in court. "

    Get a life of your own wrote on Feb 14, 2008 9:26 PM:

    " To "Seriously", don't believe everything you read in the news paper. It was a stupid and pathetic thing that was done, don't get me wrong but you do not know the story! In fact, no one but the two men sitting in jail does and even more importantly, you don't know these guys so get this through your head... you need to stop passing judgment on people and worry about you own life. If that's not entertaining enough for you then sorry for ya! "

    sister wrote on Feb 14, 2008 7:59 PM:

    " To seriously, I am his sister and understand what I wrote, this was a law abiding citizen that snapped. His wife died tragically from cancer and he hasn't been the same. I know he broke the law and I obey the same law you do but sometimes people that have respectable lives are given a raw deal (cancer) they don't know how to handle it. Unless you've experienced it yourself you don't understand. He knows what he did was wrong our parents taught us right and wrong. Sometimes the devil gets control of you and this happens. Pray for him! "

    Pelican wrote on Feb 14, 2008 4:52 PM:

    " I can add "sister" to my list of idiots. "

    Seriously? wrote on Feb 14, 2008 4:23 PM:

    " "sister" and "why should it matter" get this through your heads. TWO MEN put other peoples' lives in danger when they KNOWNINGLY broke the law to make a quick buck. This is NOT the casino's or Chitimacha govt's fault. If a shootout would have happened it would have been on the heads on the robbers. They should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. "

    sister wrote on Feb 14, 2008 12:39 PM:

    " Everyone needs to consider the facts before making comments, oh you don't know the facts, well casino's ruin lives. The Bible says The love of money is the root of all evil, well one of them knew the truth and what is right and wrong but when you let something like this overcome your life it is a sickness and it ruins your life. He made a big mistake and he wouldn't hurt anyone, he was desperate and did something totally out of his character. Why don't you pray for them instead of casting stones, these guys have families. "

    Charles wrote on Feb 14, 2008 11:36 AM:

    " Every man, woman, a child charged with a crime in these United States of America is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Let the chips (pardon the pun) fall where they may. "

    On The Outside Looking In wrote on Feb 14, 2008 10:36 AM:

    " How could anyone think they could get away with this? Especially someone who spent so much time at the casino. Now they've messed with the Sovereign Nation of the Chitimacha and will have to face tribal court. "

    Tina wrote on Feb 14, 2008 9:51 AM:

    " They are both getting what they deserve!! "

    Pelican wrote on Feb 13, 2008 8:53 PM:

    " What idiots ! "

    Why should it matter. wrote on Feb 13, 2008 8:22 PM:

    " Randy Girouard is actually being charged for armed robbery, but only because the Chitimacha's want to "make an example of them" which is just wrong when they refuse to listen to what actually happened. But hey, if their point is made, I guess it doesn't matter if one of them might have been inocent. "

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