Opelousas, LA — A local man was arrested early Tuesday morning after he allegedly attempted to break into Lagniappe Pharmacy on South Union Street in Opelousas. Jean Anderson, 36, of 2232 Ledoux Circle, was apprehended following a foot chase after officers spotted him attempting to burglarize the business.
At approximately 1:07 a.m., an Opelousas police officer observed Anderson attempting to break into the pharmacy. When approached, Anderson fled the scene, leaving his vehicle behind at an abandoned home nearby. Officers, who had already identified Anderson, tracked him down several blocks away. He was found with injuries consistent with the attempted break-in and was arrested without further incident.
Anderson now faces charges of attempted simple burglary of a pharmacy and resisting an officer. In addition to these charges, investigators executed a search warrant for his vehicle, uncovering evidence that links Anderson to previous burglaries at Glenn’s Pharmacy and another pharmacy in nearby Evangeline Parish. The Opelousas Police Department has shared this evidence with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, which is conducting its own investigation into the case.
Opelousas Police Chief Craig Leblanc praised his officers for their swift and effective response. “Thanks to the diligence and persistence of our officers, we were able to apprehend the suspect and gather critical evidence to support further investigations,” said Leblanc.
Authorities are urging anyone with additional information about Anderson or related incidents to contact the Opelousas Police Department at (337) 948-2500.