Lake Charles, LA –
On Saturday, March 19 at approximately 1:30 p.m. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a business on North Cities Service Highway in Sulphur in reference to an armed robbery.
During the initial investigation the victim advised deputies he was inside his truck at which time an acquaintance, Joseph A. Ripley, 35, 4224 Fellows Road, DeQuincy, opened his passenger’s side door, pointed a gun at him, and demanded money. The victim stated he did not have any cash, but transferred all of the money in his bank account to Ripley using a mobile payment app. The victim stated after the incident occurred Ripley entered the establishment and he drove to a nearby parking lot, where he contacted law enforcement.
Deputies located Ripley inside the business and performed a pat down for officer safety, at which time they located a handgun on his person. After further investigation, Ripley, who is a convicted felon, was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with armed robbery; negligent carrying of a concealed handgun; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was released the following day on a $107,500 bond set by Judge Tony Fazzio.
The investigation is ongoing and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who may have witnessed the armed robbery, or anyone with any information regarding this incident to please call CPSO at 491-3605.
CPSO Cpl. Mason Simien is the arresting deputy on this case. CPSO Detective Joshua Couch is the lead investigator on this case.
An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.