ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH, La. — Local law enforcement agencies are on the lookout for a Baton Rouge man wanted in connection with a series of ATM burglaries across the Gulf South.
The latest burglary was caught on camera in St. John Parish.
Security video shows a man cutting into a Laplace ATM in the early morning hours of Oct. 12.
According to investigators, he used construction tools such as crowbars and a heavy-duty concrete saw to get to the money at the Louisiana Federal Credit Union on Airline Highway.
The man later identified as 42-year-old Alfred Cobb was unsuccessful.
Detective Denis James from the St. John Sheriff’s Office said Cobb destroyed the ATM over about three hours.
“Basically, he would go in through the other street and come in through the (bank) drive-through and open the driver’s door…he would actually access the ATM with a saw.”
That same morning, not knowing of Cobb’s possible involvement in the ATM burglary, St. John deputies attempted to stop him as he approached I-10.
A license plate reader reportedly hit on a stolen license plate on Cobb’s vehicle.
Sheriff Mike Tregre said when deputies got out to question Cobb, he sped off.
“We had a pursuit probably started driving in excess easily over 100 miles per hour and he was driving extremely recklessly, passing cars on the shoulder on I-10 eastbound, so we broke it off.”
Tregre said Cobb is wanted for a second ATM burglary at the Total Choice Credit Union in Laplace in August.
He is also suspected in a string of similar crimes in East Baton Rouge – Livingston and Tangipahoa Parishes.
Investigators say Cobb may have also been involved in a pair of ATM burglaries at the Hancock-Whitney bank on St. Claude in New Orleans in June and September.
“He’s wanted in this whole region, even in New Orleans from what I’m hearing, he’s going to be tied to some attempts over there,” Tregre said. “We just got to catch him now.”
Det. James said Cobb has a prior criminal record in Mississippi.
“He was involved in an incident in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi in 2022 for what I believe to be an ATM smash and grab where they would break into a storefront and maybe wrap an ATM in a chain or a rope and yank it out of the building,” James said.
The investigation led detectives to 37-year-old Daniela Lucas, Cobb’s cousin, and an alleged accomplice in some of the burglaries.
She was arrested in Tangipahoa where she is also facing charges.
Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Ashley Rodrigue said, “Daniela Lucas has been arrested by our agency for two counts of Business Burglary. Our detectives say she was the getaway driver for another suspect accused of multiple business burglaries who is still at large. During our investigation into her involvement, our detectives located tools and equipment as well as connecting evidence to the additional suspect inside her Hammond home. That additional suspect is Alfred Cobb and he is currently wanted for two counts of Business Burglary in our parish.”
St. John deputies are confident they will eventually catch Alfred Cobb. They say it’s only a matter of time before he strikes again.
“We have a cell waiting for him and if he does see this broadcast, turn yourself in,” Tregre said.
Louisiana Federal Credit Union released this statement:
“We are disheartened this has happened but have security measures in place and are working closely with law enforcement to help with the investigation as much as possible. No money was stolen, and we assure our members the machine will be replaced in the upcoming weeks.”
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