Lafayette’s Most Prolific Scammer? Residents Share Their Wild Encounters with Notorious Woman

The residents of Lafayette have been on high alert since Caroline & Company, a boutique known for its diverse range of offerings from children's clothing to home furnishings, took to Facebook to expose a woman they claim had shoplifted from them. However, the shoplifting incident seems to be the tip of the iceberg.

The boutique posted images of the alleged shoplifter, urging the public for identification. The caption on the post stated, “Does anyone recognize this woman? She was in Caroline & Company on Sunday and again today, leaving with items that she did not pay for. She was also seen in several parking lots around River Ranch asking for money. She was picked up by an older white Marquis with no plates. If you recognize her, please contact us or call Lafayette Police Department.”

The online community’s response was overwhelming. Over 500 shares later, tales of scam encounters with this very woman, from various corners of Lafayette, began pouring in. Comments painted a picture of a scam artist who had allegedly been duping unsuspecting citizens for years.

John Broussard’s first meeting with the alleged scammer dates back to 2013, while Christopher Foster claims she’s a regular in the Albertsons parking lot by around 5 p.m., often fleeing when confronted. A humorous comment from Olivia Brown revealed how widespread the woman's infamy is, as she joked about feeling "left out" for not having had an encounter.

Some stories were especially alarming: Lindsay Comeaux, an employee at another boutique, recalled a distressing incident where even Miss ULL felt threatened while in the store due to the woman's antics. Ann Mouton's experience was particularly odd as she was approached in a restroom with a concocted tale involving racehorses.

Missy Ontiveros got duped at a Texas Roadhouse, and Andrea Theriot was met with a sob story at Super 1 about a car in impound and a shortage of hotel room money. Lacey Viator's encounter is notable for the woman's dramatic flair: “She even mustered up tears! She deserves an award for acting.” Melissa Goudeau proudly shared how she recognized a scam attempt at Hobby Lobby but noted the woman's persistence as she immediately moved on to another potential victim.

Taylor Bares’ comment underlines the audacity of the alleged scammer as she managed to deceive her twice, with one of the scams happening at Home Goods. Tessie Huval’s candid response to the flurry of stories was straight-to-the-point: “If she’s asking for money she needs a Job.”

The overarching sentiment was echoed by Tara Taylor, suggesting, “She should be rich by now if she scammed all y’all.”

The extensive list of people and their experiences points to a long history of deceit, begging the question - is this woman the biggest scammer in Lafayette?

The Lafayette Police, who are familiar with both the woman and her infamous scams, urge anyone with information to come forward. They also advise residents to contact the police or security immediately if they suspect they are being scammed or harassed.

With the community on high alert, it remains to be seen what will come next for this alleged scam artist.