Man wanted in crawfish theft

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a Rayne man wanted in connection with the simple burglary at a crawfish dock early Thursday morning on Highway 35 south of Rayne.
In a joint release, Acadia Parish Sheriff Wayne Melancon and officials with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries stated that both agencies responded to a burglary in progress in the 5200 block of Abbeville Highway at approximately 3:30 a.m.
Upon arrival deputies learned that the suspect, identified as Cary Gordon Bastian fled the scene heading south in a white Camaro upon arrival of a Wildlife and Fisheries Agent. Agents advised that Bastian headed toward the Vermilion and Lafayette parishes line traveling at speeds of up to 100 mph.
During the investigation deputies learned that a male subject had been hiding on the premises all evening in an attempt to identify the suspect responsible for stealing crawfish from the owner. According to the witness he observed Bastian loading six bags of crawfish into the trunk of his Camaro prior to the arrival of law enforcement.
Warrants of arrests have been issued for 28-year-old Bastian of the 15900 block of Gordon Road in Rayne. Bastian is being charged with one count of simple burglary; one count of reckless operation of a motor vehicle and one count of aggravated flight from an officer. District Judge John Trahan set bond at $21,000.
The Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office is assisting the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in the investigation which is ongoing.