Rayne man sought as crawfish theft suspect

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office is 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, March 26, on Hwy 35 south of Rayne.
In a joint release Acadia Parish Sheriff Wayne Melancon and officials with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries report both agencies responded to a burglary in progress in the 5200 block of Abbeville Hwy at approximately 3:30 a.m.
Upon arriving, deputies learned that the suspect, identified as Cary Gordon Bastian fled the scene heading south in a white Camero upon arrival of a Wildlife and Fisheries agent. Agents stated Bastian headed toward the Vermilion and Lafayette Parish line traveling at speeds of up to 100 mph.
During the investigation deputies learned that the owner had a person hiding on the premises all evening in an attempt to identify the suspect responsible for stealing crawfish from the owner. The owner was noticing sacks of crawfish missing from an outside cooler that was locked.
According to the witness, he observed Bastian loading six bags of crawfish into the trunk of his Camero prior to the arrival of law enforcement.
Warrants of arrests have been issued for 28 year old Cary Gordon Bastian of the 15900 block of Gordon Road, 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.
An attempt was made later Thursday to apprehend Bastian, but he fled into a wooded area near his home in Vermilion Parish.
The Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office assisted the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in the investigation which is on going.