Labadieville, La (NBC33) — On Wednesday Night around 7:00 p.m., deputies in Assumption Parish received a call saying that a man stole a woman’s purse during a choir practice.
Lee Barrient Jr., 45, carried a backpack came inside the church, knelt down to pray, and left after snatching a purse from a female choir member.
During the chase, the thief attempted to throw the purse under a house on and damaged the resident’s fence while jumping over it.
A male member of the choir and a citizen soon detained Barrient in a nearby yard. Officers arrived shortly after and took the subject into custody.
Barrient was arrested and booked with Purse Snatching and Criminal Damage to Property under $500. Barrient is currently being held at the Assumption Parish Detention Center.
Barrient is also under parole supervision for previous conviction of forgery counts and armed robbery.