police car, cop car, sirens
The former police chief of the Evangeline Parish town of Turkey Creek was arrested Thursday by Louisiana State Police on a variety of charges stemming from a deries of thefts that allegedly occured at a retail store in Lafayette, according to Trooper Stephen Hammons in a press release from State Police Troop I.

In September, detectives with Louisiana State Police Region 2 received information about the theft. The complaint

alleged 43-year-old Robert Moreau of Turkey Creek was removing store items from the shelves, then leaving with them without permission and without paying for them, according to the news release.

During the course of investigation detectives gathered evidence indicating that Moreau, who at the time of the offense was employed as the chief of police in Turkey Creek, was wearing his uniform when the offense took place. The evidence also indicated that the

complaint was valid, according to the release.

An arrest warrant was issued for Moreau and state police detectives arrested him in Evangeline Parish, then transported him to Lafayette Parish for booking.

Earlier this year, Moreau had played a key role in apprehending a fugitive, Matthew Keyes, who had escaped from the custody of the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office and had led law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase in a stolen SUV from St. Landry Parish, through Evangeline Parish and into Rapides Parish.

Moreau chased the fugitive, reaching a speed of 105 miles per hour and ended the chase by tapping the SUV with his police vehicle, causing it to spin several times before Keyes regained control. When it was clear Moreau was going to tap his vehicle again, Keyes pulled over and Moreau apprehended him.

The investigation into Moreau's alleged crime continued and Hammons announced Friday that additional evidence had been gathered in the case and that additional charges had been filed against Moreau.

In a news release, Hammons said the new evidence indicates that Moreau would remove items from the retail store without paying for them, then he would allegedly return the items and receive a store gift card for the cost of the item.
Using that store gift card, Moreau would allegedly purchase other items.

During a search of his home, troopers recovered more than 7,500 rounds of ammunition, three guns, and various other items.

In addition to the original theft charges, detectives have now included unauthorized use of an access card, attempted theft, theft of firearms, and abuse of office.

Moreau remains in the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center. This case remains under investigation and additional charges are expected.