A Jefferson Parish credit union manager's road trip ended in handcuffs after deputies in Walton County, Florida, said they found roughly $150,000 in cash tucked into a small cooler during a traffic stop. Authorities identified the driver as 34-year-old Alexa Braud of Gretna. She was booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center on a theft charge after what investigators describe as a cross-jurisdictional probe that followed her car more than 250 miles to the Florida Panhandle. The investigation kicked off when co-workers at RiverLand Credit Union discovered money missing from a vault and called police, according to NOLA.com.
Traffic Stop Leads Deputies to Cooler Stash
Walton County deputies pulled over a red Toyota Corolla at the intersection of Florida Highway 285 and U.S. 90 near Mossy Head and found about $150,000 in cash inside a small cooler, officials said, as reported by NOLA.com. Gretna police had already issued an alert tying that vehicle to the RiverLand branch after employees reported the missing funds, investigators told the outlet.
Surveillance Shows Vault Entry, Bag of Cash
According to Gretna Police Department, surveillance video from RiverLand Credit Union shows a woman they identified as Braud going into the vault, stuffing cash into a bag and then leaving the branch. When other employees arrived later, they reported that money was missing from the vault and told officers that cash had also been removed from a teller drawer, authorities said.
Booking, Charge and Extradition Plans
Braud was arrested on Feb. 4 in Walton County and taken into custody to await extradition back to Louisiana, where she faces one count of theft valued at more than $25,000, officials said, according to NOLA.com. She was booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center and, as of the outlet's report, no bond had been set while the investigation continues.
Legal Note
The allegation is a felony-level theft charge, and prosecutors will decide whether to file formal charges once investigators finish reviewing surveillance footage, branch records and other evidence. Authorities said the case highlights how surveillance tools and interagency alerts can quickly push an investigation across state lines when large amounts of cash are involved.
What Happens Next
Extradition proceedings and any upcoming court hearings in Jefferson Parish will shape what comes next in the case, as law enforcement agencies continue coordinating across jurisdictions. RiverLand Credit Union has not released a public statement, and the probe remains active while officials gather evidence and prepare potential charging decisions.
