Suspect crawfish thief eludes arrest

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a Rayne man.  He is wanted in connection with simple burglary at a crawfish dock that occurred early Thursday morning on La.35 south of Rayne, according to a news release from the wildlife department.
Wildlife agents and sheriff’s deputies responded to the 5200 block of Abbeville Highway at about 3:30 a.m. following a report of a burglary in progress.
They learned that the suspect, identified as Cary Gordon Bastian, 28, fled the scene heading south in a white Camaro, the news release stated.
Wildlife agents advised that Bastian headed toward the Vermilion and Lafayette Parish line traveling at speeds well over 100 mph, the news release stated.
During the investigation agents and deputies learned that the owner had a person hiding on the premises all evening in an attempt to identify the suspect responsible for stealing crawfish from the owner.  The owner was noticing sacks of crawfish missing from an outside cooler that was locked.  According to the witness Bastian was observed loading six bags of crawfish into the trunk of his Camaro prior to the arrival of law enforcement, the news release stated.
Warrants of arrests have been issued for Bastian of the 15900 block of Gordon Road in Rayne.  Bastian is being charged with one count of simple burglary, one count of reckless operation of a motor vehicle and one count of aggravated flight from an officer.  District Judge John Trahan set bond at $21,000.
An attempt was made later in the day to apprehend Bastian, but he fled into a wooded area near his home in Vermilion Parish. 
Contact the Acadia or Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Offices or LDWF at 1-800-442-2511 if you know of Bastian's whereabouts.