Casino robbery arrests

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.

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.