Bunkie man faces armed robbery charges

Several area law enforcement agencies conducted a three-hour manhunt Sunday night (April 15) for a suspect in an armed robbery of the Bayou Station on Main Street in Bunkie.
Jacob Lafleur, 21, of 508 Evergreen Highway in Bunkie, was arrested at about 9:19 p.m. Sunday and charged with armed robbery with a firearm and illegally carrying a weapon. He was still in jail under $110,000 bond as of press time Monday.
Police Chief Bobby Corner said BPD received a call at 6:30 p.m. that the gas station had been robbed. Witnesses said a man walked into the store, pointed a .38 caliber revolver at the clerk and demanded money.
The clerk gave Lafleur an undetermined amount of cash.
The robber fled on foot into Standard Park.
Police sealed off the area and told residents in the neighborhood to remain inside. BPD received assistance from the State Fire Marshal’s Office and its K-9 dog, Cottonport Police, Hessmer Police, Evergreen Police, Cheneyville Police and Bunkie Fire Department during the search.
Lafleur was found hiding in tall weeds behind an abandoned house on Victory Street. He was arrested without incident and the stolen money was recovered.