Anton Atkins tied to shell casings found at robbery scene

Shell casings found at the scene of an alleged armed robbery at the corner of Rosa Pearl and Plum on July 10 have been tied directly to a gun to which Bogalusa policeman Anton Atkins had access.

"We got the forensics back and they're (casings) from a gun he (Atkins) had access to," Chief of Police Joe Culpepper said. "Thankfully, it wasn't his service revolver."

Anton Atkins

Culpepper said he understands Atkins, who is on administrative leave with pay while he is under arrest, has bonded out.

Atkins, 29, was charged with armed robbery and dangerous use of a weapon after he allegedly robbed Willie Holloway of more than $300. Both charges are felonies and carry a jail sentence of up to 99 years. In addition, while not a separate charge, armed robbery with a gun is listed as part of the complaint as a sentencing enhancement.

Culpepper said the police department received a complaint at 8:44 p.m. on July 10 about an off-duty officer firing his gun.

Culpepper said responding officers found spent casings at the scene, which were collected as evidence and sent, along with Atkins' service revolver, to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office for forensics testing.

Culpepper said Atkins will now face an Internal Affairs investigation.

"Essentially, in an IA investigation, the chief of police is ordering the officer to testify," Culpepper explained. "Whatever he says, if he admits responsibility, cannot be used against him in a criminal proceeding because he does not have the right to take the Fifth (Amendment)."

Culpepper said the investigation is ongoing.

Armed robbery charges filed on Bogalusa cop

Anton Atkins, 29, a police officer on the Bogalusa Police Department, has been charged with armed robbery and dangerous use of a weapon.

Anton Atkins

Both charges are felonies and carry a jail sentence of up to 99 years. In addition, while not a separate charge, armed robbery with a gun is listed as part of the complaint as a sentencing enhancement.

Police Chief Joe Culpepper told wpnewsblog that the police department received a complaint at 8:44 p.m. Sunday about an off-duty officer firing his gun.

Culpepper said responding officers found spent casings at the scene, which were collected as evidence and have subsequently been sent, along with Atkins' service revolver, to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office for forensics testing.

"We won't know anything in regards to that until they finish with the tests," Culpepper said.

Culpepper said responding officers, along with detectives, then began conducting an investigation and conducting interviews.

"At the end of the interviews, we had enough evidence to seek the warrants," Culpepper explained.

Culpepper said Atkins had previously worked for the department, then left to work for pardons and parole before returning to the police department in April 2008.

He also said the investigation was ongoing and, that while others might have been involved, only Atkins had been charged at this time. Culpepper also said he investigated a report by wpnewsblog that Atkins' name was not on the booking log and that it was on the report.

"I am thoroughly convinced we have done the right thing (in the handling of the complaint and subsequent arrest)," Culpepper said. "I think there's more to it and that's why the investigation is ongoing."

BREAKING NEWS: Bogalusa police officer arrested in armed robbery

Wpnewblog has learned from multiple, reliable sources, that a Bogalusa police officer has been arrested for armed robbery. A second individual was also arrested in connection with the incident.

Police Chief Joe Culpepper was not expected in the office until about noon Monday and could not be reached by cell phone after multiple attempts.

The incident was alleged to have taken place on Sunday and involved the armed robbery of what sources described as a "known drug dealer." The officer's name did not appear on the Bogalusa  Police Department booking register, although the name of the second person appeared with a lesser charge by their name.

This story will be updated as details are released. wpnewsblog has the names of both alleged robbers, but does not release personal data unless it has been confimed by authorities.


(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)
(Reader news tip story)