Two people were arrested following a traffic stop in Cecilia that led to the driver fleeing and two pursuits that saw the man jump into and swim across Bayou Teche, twice, and then climbing into a tree to elude police.
Sheriff Becket Breaux said deputies with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office attempted to initiate a traffic stop in the 2000 block of Cecilia Senior High School Highway shortly after 9:30 a.m. on Monday. The driver failed to stop and fled, leading deputies on a pursuit.
The driver, identified as 38-year-old Brock Robin, of Breaux Bridge, was wanted on an active arrest warrant stemming from multiple narcotics charges.
Robin crashed his vehicle at the roundabout in Henderson but continued onto I-10 before pulling over and jumping into a nearby pond, evading deputies.
Later, deputies received a report that Robin had been spotted running along Anse Broussard Highway. When deputies intercepted him at the intersection of Anse Broussard Highway and Kathleen Drive, Robin jumped into Bayou Teche and swam across, prompting deputies to establish a perimeter and search the area.
Bayou
Around 5:30 p.m., while surveilling his residence in the 1000 block of Sosthene Guilbeau Road, deputies saw a vehicle leave the property.
Deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop at the intersection of Grand Anse and Grand Point highways. The driver, later identified as 35-year-old Corie Begnaud, of St. Martinville, fled with Robin as a passenger and led deputies on a pursuit throughout the parish.
Robin exited the vehicle in the 4000 block of Poydras Highway and swam across the bayou again.
With assistance from the Breaux Bridge Police Department, deputies located Robin in the 100 block of Sidonia Drive where he had climbed a tree. He was taken into custody without further incident.
Robin was arrested on the following charges:
• La. R.S. 40:966 Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule I Narcotics (1 count);
• La. R.S. 40:967A Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II Narcotics (2 counts);
• La. R.S. 40:969A Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule IV Narcotics (1 count)’
• La. R.S. 40:1060.13 Sale, Distribution, or Possession of Legend Drug without Prescription or Order Prohibited (1 count);
• and La. R.S. 40:1023C Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia (1 count).
Additional charges are pending.
Begnaud was arrested on the following charges:
• La. R.S. 14:108.1C Aggravated Flight from an Officer; • La. R.S. 47:536(8) Violations of Registration Provisions (switched plates);
• and La. R.S. 32:304 Tail Lamps.
