WAFB Channel 9, Baton Rouge, LA |Off-duty police officers nab suspected thief

Off-duty police officers nab suspected thief

By Keitha Nelson - bio | email

DENHAM SPRINGS, LA (WAFB) - Two off-duty police officers found themselves in the right place at the right time when they saw a man try to make a getaway after snatching a woman's purse out of her cart at the same store where they were shopping.

Denham Springs police say a man fresh out of prison was caught red-handed snatching a woman's purse. But it wasn't as simple as that!

Denham Springs Police Chief Scott Jones says Toris Scott is a career criminal, with bad luck. Just two weeks out of jail, officers busted Scott at the Denham Springs Walmart, reportedly up to his old tricks. The 41-year old allegedly snatched a woman's purse out of her cart at Walmart.

"But instead of leaving, he went deeper into the store," said Chief Jones. "It was his attempt to get in a private area to remove the cash from the purse."

Jones says when Scott headed towards the exit there were two off-duty cops who just happened to be shopping there. They swung into action. But Scott reportedly did not go down without a fight.

"He's addicted to crack cocaine and nothing matters but using to a crack addict," said Jones. "And nothing scares him."

Apparently something did frighten Scott. Police say he defecated on himself during the struggle.

"I had feces everywhere in the car," said Corporal Roger May. "That was one reason why it was hard to get a handle on him."

May says his unit took quite a beating. Scott allegedly went wild in the back of this car.

"You can see the footprint marks where he kicked the door," said May.

Chief Jones says Scott has been to prison at least four or five times, all on felony charges. This isn't his first run in with May either. He's arrested Scott himself a couple of times.

"Their behavior gets more violent because they keep getting out and they think they're going to get out again," said May.

Chief Jones says not this time. Scott was slapped with multiple charges including resisting an officer. And they're hopeful he'll be behind bars and away from the public for quite some time.

Police found a crack pipe on Scott during the scuffle, and what they believe is the victim's $280.

The off-duty officers who helped nab Scott were from the Baton Rouge Police Department and the Livingston Sheriffs Office.

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