LABADIEVILLE, LA (WAFB) -
Authorities said a man stole a
woman's purse from a church as she and other choir members practiced Wednesday evening.
Lee Barrient Jr., 45, of Bourg, was charged with purse
snatching and criminal damage to property under $500.
According to the Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office,
the choir of St. Philomena Catholic Church in Labadieville was practicing
around 7 p.m.
Choir members reported a man walked in and knelt down
to pray, but then ran off after taking the purse.
Deputies said one of the men in the choir and someone
near the church chased the suspect down, catching him in a nearby yard.
They said Barrient damaged a fence when he tried to
jump over it during the chase.
Investigators said he threw the purse under a house
while running away, but everything was found and returned to the woman.
He was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention
Center.
Bond was not set.
A hold was placed on Barrient because he is on parole
for forgery and armed robbery.
Copyright 2012 WAFB. All rights reserved.
Lee Barrient Jr. (Source: Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office)
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