Mississippi Couple Arrested for Armed Robbery at Slidell Motel

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s detectives arrested a Mississippi couple Thursday evening in connection with an armed robbery that occurred at a Slidell-area motel.

Shortly after midnight Thursday morning, a black male entered the office of the Olivia Inn on Yaupon Drive in Slidell with a black cloth partially covering his face. The clerk told deputies the man had what appeared to be a firearm sticking out of his jacket pocket, and he demanded she give him money.

After obtaining and undisclosed amount of cash from the register, the man fled to the front entrance of the motel and was picked up by someone driving a light colored sedan.

During the detectives' investigation, with the assistance of the Picayune Police Department, they were able to identify the man suspected of committing the robbery as Emell McGinnis (DOB 3/10/1979; 257 Davis Road, Picayune, Miss.).

The driver of the getaway vehicle was identified as McGinnis’ girlfriend Lacy Owen (4/30/1986; 257 Davis Road, Picayune, Miss.).

The couple was located in Picayune, Miss. Thursday evening and was taken into custody. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's office was also assisted by the Pearl River County Sheriff's Office, as the investigation led them into its jurisdiction.

They are being held in Picayune as fugitives, and will be transferred to the St. Tammany Parish Jail, where they will both be booked for LRS 14:64 Armed Robbery.