Robbery suspect leads police on high-speed chase

Earl Ray Williams Jr.

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By: CARISSA HEBERT
Managing Editor

A Ville Platte man is facing several charges in Ville Platte and in Jennings after he allegedly robbed a local store, stole vehicles from both communities and led police on a high-speed chase.

Ville Platte Police have charged Earl Ray Williams Jr., 28 (dob 1-9-81) with armed robbery, simple battery, aggravated flight, three counts of disobeying a red light, passing in a no passing zone and unauthorized use of a moveable vehicle. Charges also are pending in Jennings.

On Monday, June 29, the department responded to an armed robbery call at the Tate Cove Dollar General store. Interim Assistant Chief John B. “Chip” Matte responded to the scene and learned a man, who was banned from the store for a prior shoplifting incident, entered the store and opened a pack of knives. When approached by a worker about opening merchandise in the store before purchasing it, the man said he was sorry and walked to the register. It was at that time the man punched one female store employee in the mouth and knocked her to the floor causing minor injuries. The other female employee managed to exit the store and call for help.

Police indicate the man, who they later identified as Earl Ray Williams Jr. through security cameras and witnesses, demanded money and managed to pry open the cash register and take an undetermined amount of cash before fleeing the scene on his bicycle.

The armed robbery report was received by authorities at approximately 9:10 a.m. Chief Neal Lartigue, who was in the area, spoke to residents and also received information on the robbery suspect.

The department also received a call from a residence in the 400 block of Jackson Street. The caller said she left her vehicle in the front yard of a residence and ran inside. When she returned outside, the vehicle was gone. She told officers a witness had identified Williams as the person who had taken her vehicle.

Later in the day, the Jeff David Parish Sheriff’s Office contacted Ville Platte about a vehicle they had recovered. Officers learned the vehicle was the one taken from the Jackson Street residence, and it was filled with blood. The department advised the sheriff’s office the vehicle had been stolen by a robbery suspect. A description and name was given to the Jeff Davis authorities.

Matte learned a car was stolen from Jennings in Jeff Davis Parish. During the early evening hours, the department received an anonymous tip Williams was in the area of North Chataignier Road. Officer Tyler Tate was enroute to the area when he crossed Williams and recognized him. When Tate turned around and attempted to stop Williams, Williams fled at a high rate of speed. Tate noted Wiliams ran through the signal light at Chataignier and Main streets almost causing an accident, through the signal light at Chataignier and Cotton streets and passing several vehicles in a no-passing zone and passing through the signal light at Hickory and Chataignier streets before turning at the next major intersection onto the Pine Point Road. The department’s report indicates Williams traveled at speeds up to 105 miles per hour as he led Officer Tate down the Pine Point Road. Williams nearly missed striking vehicles head-on as he fled from officers. Williams reportedly slammed on his brakes at the intersection of Pine Point and Snooks and turned around and headed back east on the Pine Point Road before slamming on his brakes and skidding into a ditch and crashing the vehicle.

After refusing medical treatment, Williams was taken into police custody and transferred to the jail where he was booked on a multitude of charges.

James Todd Wall

Lt. Craig Nicholas, chief of detectives, reported the arrest of James Todd Wall, 1210 Sawmill Road, Ville Platte, who was charged with resisting an officer, criminal damage to property for kicking out the glass of a police car, two counts of battery on a police officer, disturbing the peace by intoxication and aggravated second-degree battery. His bond was set at $10,000.

Officers Chateuse Richard and Damien Bellard responded to a complaint after Wall allegedly pulled his girlfriend from the vehicle by her hair and began kicking her in the face and head. Wall reportedly fought with officers at the time of his arrest.

Johnny L. Vidrine

A traffic stop by the Ville Platte Police Department led to the arrest of Johnny L. Vidrine, 49, 1835 Clement St., Ville Platte. He was charged with improper parking and DWI (third offense). His bond was set at $5,000.

Sierra Manuel

At press time, Lt. Craig Nicholas, chief of detectives, said the department was securing an arrest warrant for Sierra Manuel, 23, Ville Platte, in connection with a disturbance at an apartment complex, located off of Main Street. He said Manuel will be charged with unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, criminal damage to property and simple battery. She allegedly broke the windshield of a vehicle with a beer bottle and then forced her way inside and committed a battery on the person inside.