Two booked in Church Point bank robbery, other suspects sought

Arrests have been made in connection with the Wednesday afternoon bank heist in Church Point.
It is currently being reported that two arrested suspects – Javonta Lazaro, 17, and Alinkay Wiley, 19, both of Church Point – were allegedly involved in the incident and arrested Thursday morning, according to Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s officials said that Lazaro and two other male suspects allegedly walked into the Church Point Bank & Trust around 1 p.m. Wednesday and engaged in an armed robbery which yielded an undisclosed amount of money.
Wiley is accused of driving the getaway vehicle, according to reports.
Church Point Police Chief Albert Venable and Acadia Parish Sheriff Wayne Melancon said that, according to witnesses at the scene, two of the suspects were armed with handguns during the robbery. The trio fled the bank on foot.
During the investigation, law enforcement received information that the subjects were possibly hiding in a residence in the 100 block of S. Vista Street. The Louisiana State Police SWAT Team was called in and upon entering the residence the suspects were not located.
On Thursday morning at approximately 3:00 a.m. authorities arrested Lazaro and Wiley, who were charged with Armed Robbery of a Financial Institution. Bond was set at $250,000 by District Judge Kristian Earles.
Authorities are working to identify two additional suspects that are believed to be involved with yesterday’s bank robbery.
Authorities announced the arrests late Thursday afternoon.