Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: Jan 15, 2010

Phone: (318) 525-5066 Fax: (318) 673-6933

Contact: Cpl. Bill Goodin, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Shreveport Police arrest suspect after botched robbery

Shreveport Police have arrested a local man for attempted armed robbery after he tried unsuccessfully to rob a west Shreveport Liquor store.

At approximately 3:45 p.m. on January 14, 2010, Shreveport Police patrol officers were dispatched to the Hollywood Liquor Bank in the 1900 block of Hollywood Ave. relative to an attempted armed robbery of the business. Upon arrival, officers learned that a male suspect had entered the store brandishing a handgun, pointing the weapon at employees while yelling he was robbing the business. The suspect grabbed an employee around the neck and put the gun to his head when another employee behind the counter pulled out his own handgun and demanded the suspect let the kidnapped employee go free. The suspect used the employee as a shield and walked him towards the door of the business. Once at the door, the suspect let the employee go and fled the scene of the crime on foot.

Detectives were dispatched to the scene and began their investigation. Investigators were able to develop a suspect and in less than an hour after the robbery had him in custody. Officers captured 31 year old Sylvester Harp inside a residence in the 5800 block of Attaway St. He was taken into custody without incident. Harp, of the 1900 block of Hollywood Ave. in Shreveport, was booked into the Shreveport City Jail on one count of attempted armed robbery and three counts of aggravated assault. Detectives have also charged Sylvester Harp with one count of second degree kidnapping.

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View all SPD press releases at www.shreveportla.gov