Two Arrested After St. Martin Parish Pursuits And Bayou Escape Attempt

Two people were arrested after deputies pursued a wanted suspect who repeatedly escaped through ponds and Bayou Teche.

A Breaux Bridge man wanted on multiple narcotics charges and a St. Martinville woman are facing charges following a series of pursuits and an hours-long search that stretched across St. Martin Parish on Monday.

Sheriff Becket Breaux said deputies initially attempted to stop a vehicle shortly after 9:30 a.m. on Monday (June 1) in the 2000 block of Cecilia Senior High School Highway.

Wanted Suspect Flees Initial Traffic Stop

According to the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office, the driver was identified as 38-year-old Brock Robin of Breaux Bridge, who was wanted on an active arrest warrant involving multiple narcotics charges.

Deputies say Robin refused to stop and led authorities on a pursuit. During the chase, he crashed at the Henderson roundabout before continuing onto Interstate 10.

Authorities said Robin eventually stopped the vehicle, jumped into a nearby pond, and managed to evade deputies.

Search Intensifies After Bayou Escape

Later, deputies received information that Robin had been spotted running along Anse Broussard Highway.

When deputies intercepted him near Kathleen Drive, investigators say Robin jumped into Bayou Teche and swam across the waterway, prompting authorities to establish a perimeter and continue searching the area.

The search continued for several hours.

Second Pursuit Leads To Another Arrest

Around 5:30 p.m., deputies conducting surveillance near Robin's residence on Sosthene Guilbeau Road observed a vehicle leaving the property.

Authorities attempted a traffic stop near the intersection of Grand Anse Highway and Grand Point Highway, but the driver allegedly refused to stop.

The driver was later identified as 35-year-old Corie Begnaud of St. Martinville.

Investigators say Robin was a passenger in the vehicle when Begnaud allegedly led deputies on another pursuit through St. Martin Parish.

During the chase, Robin exited the vehicle on Poydras Highway and again attempted to escape by swimming across Bayou Teche.

Suspect Found Hiding In Tree

With assistance from the Breaux Bridge Police Department, deputies eventually located Robin in the 100 block of Sidonia Drive.

Authorities said he had climbed into a tree in an attempt to avoid capture.

Robin was taken into custody without incident.

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Charges Announced

Robin was arrested on outstanding charges including possession with intent to distribute Schedule I, II, and IV narcotics, possession and distribution of a legend drug without a prescription, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Begnaud was arrested and charged with aggravated flight from an officer, switched license plate violations, and improper tail lamps.