Gonzales Man Arrested On Robbery Count

GONZALES, La. (AP) — Ascension Parish sheriff's deputies have arrested a 53-year-old Gonzales man on one count each of simple robbery and impersonating a police officer.

Sheriff's Lt. Col. Bobby Webre tells The Advocate Wayne A. Melancon Jr. was booked into the Ascension Parish Friday night.

Webre says Melancon is accused of using a flashing white light on his van and a shirt with a badge-like emblem to pull over a Geismar woman last week.

Melancon allegedly told the victim he was investigating drug activity in the area and ordered her to place her purse on the hood of the car. When she did, Webre says he took the purse and fled.