(Updated) Shooting, armed robbery suspect caught in Amelia

Authorities have arrested a suspect in a Patterson armed robbery and separate shooting after receiving information Tuesday that he was in a vehicle in Amelia.

Tyrique Jones, 19, of Plum Street in Patterson, was arrested at 5:43 p.m. Tuesday on Patterson police warrants charging him with armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and second-degree aggravated battery and on sheriff’s office charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, transactions involving drug proceeds and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law-drug-free zone, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.

Jones was wanted in connection with a late-June shooting on Murphy Street in Patterson where police said one victim was confirmed to have been injured. Jones was also wanted for an alleged armed robbery that occurred Friday on Tall Timbers Road.

Tomaz Allen, 22, was arrested last week in the alleged armed robbery. Wanya Francis, 22, of Patterson, is still wanted in that same case.

On Tuesday, law enforcement officials arrested two other men with Jones on St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office charges.

Christopher Woods, 25, of 11th Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:04 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of Xanax, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, obstruction of justice and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance law-drug free zone.

Broderick Junifer, 28, of Federal Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 6:04 p.m. Tuesday on charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of Xanax with intent to distribute, possession of clonazepam with intent to distribute, obstruction of justice, possession of tramadol with intent to distribute and violation of a uniform controlled dangerous substance law-drug-free zone.

The Patterson Police Department, Morgan City Police Department and St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted a joint search effort for Jones who was wanted by Patterson police for armed robbery and second-degree aggravated battery charges, Hebert said.

Investigators developed information that Jones was in a vehicle on Friendship Alley in Amelia. The suspect truck was located and Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives initiated a traffic stop. Detectives located Jones in the backseat of the truck and detained him, the sheriff said.

Investigators smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the truck and located a large bag of the substance along with a smaller bag of marijuana that was packaged in a manner consistent with street level illegal drug sales, Hebert said. Over $1,500 in cash was located in Jones pants pocket, Hebert said.

While making initial contact with Jones, investigators observed a second vehicle pulling up to the truck. A detective observed the driver, Junifer, conceal a bag behind the seat. Another detective observed the passenger, Woods, reach into his pocket and retrieved a handgun, Hebert said.

Detectives ordered Woods to put down the weapon, and he complied, the sheriff said. Both Junifer and Woods were detained. Detectives knew Woods was a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing a gun.

During the subsequent investigation, detectives located Xanax pills in Woods’ pants pocket. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the car and retrieved the bag Junifer attempted to hide, Hebert said. It contained cocaine, a piece of crack cocaine, and Xanax, tramadol, and clonazepam pills, Hebert said.

The illegal drugs and weapon were located within 2,000 feet of a church, resulting in the additional CDS charge for all three suspects.

Jones, Woods and Junifer were booked into parish jail with no bail set.