Louisiana Man Charged With Armed Robbery After Allegedly Stealing a Vehicle From Someone He Met on A Social Media App

Lake Charles, Louisiana – The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office stated on August 11, 2022, that on August 10, around 5:00 p.m., CPSO deputies were dispatched to the 3300 block of Opelousas Street in Lake Charles, Louisiana, in relation to a reported carjacking.

While on the phone with the victim, CPSO Communications deputies were able to obtain a description of the SUV and issued a BOLO (Be on the Lookout) to other law enforcement agencies in the region.

A short time later, Lake Charles Police Department officers noticed the SUV driving on Enterprise Boulevard and initiated a traffic stop, at which point the suspect fled in the SUV, leading authorities on a brief pursuit. The suspect escaped on foot after crashing the vehicle near Prien Lake Road and 4th Avenue. The suspect, later identified as Jyron L. Harper, 19, Lake Charles, Louisiana, was apprehended by CPSO deputies with the assistance of LCPD police in the neighborhood of 22nd Street and 3rd Avenue. Deputies also discovered a stolen firearm inside the SUV that had been reported stolen to the Lake Charles Police Department.

During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that the victim met Harper via a social networking app. Harper had been picked up by the victim earlier that day and taken to a park on Opelousas Street, where Harper pointed a firearm at him and stole his SUV.
Harper was arrested and taken to the Calcasieu Correctional Center, where he was charged with armed robbery; armed robbery use of a firearm; and illegal possession of a stolen firearm. Judge Tony Fazzio set his bond at $155,000.

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Sr. Cpl. Antonio Hagans is the arresting deputy on this case, and CPSO Detective Lauren Manuel 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.