A man accused of robbing several Lake Area convenience stores and fast-food restaurants was arraigned in state district court Monday.

Javon Keith Kennerson, 29, 1216 Opelousas St., pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of armed robbery and 11 counts of armed robbery with a firearm.

A jury trial was set for March 17 in Judge Kent Savoie’s court.

Kennerson appeared in court via video feed.

Kennerson was arrested in July following a massive police operation to catch a person authorities said was robbing local businesses.

Police allege Kennerson robbed 15 local businesses, dating to October 2012, including the Subway on Ryan Street twice.

Prosecutors filed a bill of information against Kennerson on Sept. 17, District Attorney spokeswoman Holly Carter said.

When he was arrested on July 22, police said he had robbed a convenience store in the 3800 block of Ryan Street that afternoon. Police said he was arrested after crashing his van during a high-speed chase.

Kennerson is being held at the Calcasieu Correctional Center on $1.65 million bond.

Ronald Gene Etienne was arraigned on a charge of attempted first-degree murder.

Etienne, 30, pleaded not guilty and a jury trial was set for March 17 in Savoie’s court.

Etienne appeared via video feed.

Etienne was indicted by a grand jury on Aug. 9.

Authorities allege Etienne shot a man during a robbery at a Sulphur apartment complex.

The man had multiple gunshot wounds, police said.

Etienne, 30, is being held at CCC on $1 million bond.

(American Press Archives)