Man Found Guilty Of Robbing Covington Bank

COVINGTON, La. (AP) — A Hammond-area man arrested a year ago after robbing a Covington bank and tossing a bag full of cash and his gun from his getaway car in a frantic effort to avoid arrest has been found guilty of armed robbery.

The Times-Picayune reports a St. Tammany Parish jury deliberated 90 minutes before returning its verdict against 41-year-old Jason Renard. His one-day trial was held before state Judge Richard Swartz, who will sentence Renard on Dec. 17.

On Oct. 7, 2011, authorities said Renard walked into Progressive Bank on La Highway 21, handed a teller a note demanding money and lifted his shirt to reveal a handgun. The teller complied and the robber escaped with an undisclosed amount of money.

He was arrested a short time later.