Cashier Pepper Sprayed During Violent Lafayette Dollar General Store Robbery, Suspect Apprehended

A chaotic scene unfolded at a Lafayette Dollar General store Memorial Day morning as witnesses sprang into action after a cashier was pepper sprayed during a violent robbery.

Lafayette Police swiftly responded to a robbery in progress earlier today at a Dollar General Store located in the 100 block of Renaud Drive. At approximately 9:29 am, officers were dispatched to the scene where a violent incident unfolded. According to law enforcement officials, a suspect entered the store and made a beeline for the cash register, demanding money.

However, the cashier refused to comply with the suspect's demands, resulting in a confrontation. A scuffle broke out as the suspect and the cashier wrestled over control of the register. At one point during the tussle, the suspect resorted to using pepper spray on the cashier, which only caused further chaos in the store. In the ensuing struggle, the suspect managed to seize the register and flee from the scene.

According to police, witnesses inside the store sprang into action, successfully chasing the suspect out of the establishment. With the suspect's description and direction of travel provided to responding officers, the police wasted no time in their pursuit of the suspect.

Officers were able to swiftly apprehend the suspect near the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive and Cooper Drive. The suspect, identified as Damien Rashad Moncrief, a 30-year-old resident of Lafayette, LA, was taken into custody without further incident. Notably, he was found in possession of an undisclosed sum of money at the time of his arrest.

Medical personnel were immediately summoned to the scene to attend to the injured cashier, who had sustained potential injuries during the altercation. Their condition remains unknown at this time.

Damien Rashad Moncrief now faces multiple serious charges in connection with this violent crime. He has been charged with armed robbery, two counts of resisting an officer, and aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon.

Following his arrest, Moncrief was transported to the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center, where he is currently being held pending further legal proceedings.