On April 4, 2024, officers from the East Parish Police Department responded to a reported bank robbery involving a suspect who used a translation app to communicate with tellers. The suspect, who did not speak English, was later located on the 1300 block of East Parish and taken into custody. Officers conducted the arrest while communicating in both English and Spanish to understand the suspect’s intent.
Surveillance footage from the bank shows the suspect holding up his phone to display translated text instructing the tellers to place money in a bag. While there was no weapon involved, the suspect’s actions prompted an immediate police response. Upon locating him a short time later, officers from the East Parish Police Department approached cautiously, instructing him to remove his hands from his pockets and identify himself.
During questioning, the suspect, a Venezuelan national, admitted to asking bank employees for money but insisted he was merely requesting financial assistance rather than committing a robbery. He claimed he did not possess a weapon and expressed regret if his actions had been misinterpreted. However, officers pointed out that demanding money in such a manner—especially without a bank account—was highly suspicious.
The suspect, who had been staying in a hotel while searching for work, stated that he was struggling financially. Despite his claims of misunderstanding, officers informed him that his actions constituted an attempted bank robbery. He was taken into custody, and charges were filed accordingly.
Legal Note: All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The charges filed against the suspect are based on the circumstances observed and the evidence collected. Authorities encourage anyone facing financial hardship to seek assistance through legal and proper channels rather than engaging in potentially criminal behavior.
