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Robber and getaway taxi driver both arrested following string of thefts

7 years 4 months 3 weeks ago Monday, October 24 2016 Oct 24, 2016 October 24, 2016 6:06 PM October 24, 2016 in News
Source: WBRZ

BATON ROUGE - A cabbie was one of two people arrested for a series of strong-armed robberies at area stores Monday.

Police said Wesley Moore, 28, sprayed workers with pepper spray at a clothing store and an upscale eyeglasses business. Investigators learned Moore got Dwayne Stafford, 54, to drive him from each location in Stafford's cab.

Moore and Stafford were arrested after being caught at BRCC following a heist at The Optical Shoppe in the Bocage Village Shopping Center Monday afternoon. Officials said Moore attempted to flee the vehicle after being stopped, but was taken into custody after a brief foot chase.

Similar to their heist on O'Neal at Stage Clothing Store, police said Moore sprayed at least one worker and left with Stafford driving the getaway taxi.

Officials said around $1,105 worth of clothing was stolen by Moore at Burlington Coat Factory on Airline Hwy., and around $1,465 worth of eye-wear at The Optical Shoppe. Stafford and Moore both later admitted to police that they conspired to commit a series of thefts at multiple locations. Stafford said he wanted to obtain the money to buy drugs, and admitted he was addicted to ecstasy, according to officials.

Upon his arrest, officials said Stafford was found with two MDMA pills in his pants pocket. He was additionally charged with possession of a schedule one drug.

A WBRZ viewer shared video of police arresting the pair. An original version distorted the faces of the two people until police clearly identified who they believe is responsible. Moore is wearing a white shirt in the video, Stafford is in red.

Moore was charged with theft, aggravated assault and resisting an officer. Stafford was booked into jail on charges of theft, principal to theft, principal to aggravated assault and possession of a schedule one drug.

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Follow the publisher of this post on Twitter: @treyschmaltz

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