Alexandria man held in robbery, fight, chase
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PAINCOURTVILLE — An Alexandria man accused of robbing the Family Dollar Store in Paincourtville on Thursday fought with the store manager and a woman customer before he was arrested at the end of a chase, Assumption Parish Sheriff Mike Waguespack said.
Joe Watson, 55, 704 Applewhite St., walked into the store at 6055 La. 1 on Thursday morning and grabbed a handful of cash from an open safe, Waguespack said.
As he fled, a customer, Charon Bougere, 25, of Bertrandville, ran after Watson and began struggling with him, Waguespack said.
After Watson managed to get into his car, the store manager, Tamera Rodrigue, 23, of Donaldsonville, tried to yank the keys out of the ignition and was dragged by the car as Watson pulled away, sideswiping a building, Waguespack said.
Rodrigue was knocked free when the car — which the sheriff said was stolen in Alexandria — hit the building.
After a description of Watson and his vehicle was broadcast to deputies, sheriff’s Detective Melissa Reedy spotted the vehicle on La. 70, Waguespack said.
Watson ignored Reedy’s attempt to stop him and sped away in excess of 110 mph, heading west on La. 70, the sheriff said.
Deputy Brad Albert placed a spike strip on the highway which Watson’s car ran over, deflating a front tire.
However, Watson kept driving until the tire disintegrated, causing Watson to stop on La. 70 near Shell Beach Road, the sheriff said.
Watson, who has a criminal record listing more than 60 felony arrests in Louisiana and Texas, surrendered without incident, Waguespack said.
The store manager was treated for bruises and abrasions at Assumption Community Hospital and then transferred to Thibodaux Regional Medical Center for further examination before being released, Waguespack said.
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