DA Warren Montgomery reports that earlier this week a St. Tammany jury unanimously found Joseph P. Grant, 59, of Slidell, guilty as charged of First-Degree Robbery.
District Judge Scott Gardner presided over the case.
On April 4, 2019 at 12:53 AM, Slidell Police Department officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at a Slidell gas station.
Upon arrival, police found a victim who relayed what had happened and were able to view video surveillance footage. A black male wearing pink multi-colored slippers, a black hooded sweatshirt and sweat pants with a Saints cap turned backwards arrived at the store in a black SUV.
As he entered, he walked around the counter and grabbed the store clerk by the neck and demanded that she open the cash register. He then proceeded to punch her multiple times all while threatening to shoot and kill her.
He eventually fled after taking approximately $200 worth of cash and a few boxes of Kool cigarettes.
About nine hours after the incident, officers encountered the defendant, who matched the description of the perpetrator, driving a vehicle that also matched the description of the vehicle used in the robbery.
The defendant was taken into custody and a search warrant was executed on his vehicle and residence. At his residence, officers found the matching Saints hat, black clothing, pink multi-colored slippers, and pack of Kool cigarettes.
In his vehicle, officers found an additional pack of Kool cigarettes and other miscellaneous items.
The case was prosecuted by ADA Blake Peters.
The defendant is facing a sentence of up to 40 years in prison.
He has 5 prior felony convictions for theft of goods, possession with attempt to distribute cocaine, purse snatching, armed robbery and attempted manslaughter.
He will be sentenced on March 8, 2022.
