Police eye suspect in bank robbery

by Todd C. Elliott
todd.elliott@eunicetoday.com

The man who Eunice police believe may have been the Basile State Bank armed robber on Aug. 13 is in custody, charged in a different bank heist.
Charles Fontenot of Opelousas was arrested for his possible involvement in an Oct. 3 bank robbery in Scott.
He was arrested on Oct. 7 by the Scott Police Department. He is currently being charged by Scott police and is being held at the Lafayette Parish Corrections facility.
Eunice Police Chief Ronald Dies said that he believes that Fontenot is their man in the Basile State Bank robbery case.
The robber brandished what he said was a bomb, but turned out not to be an explosive device, as he demanded money.
Dies said that Fontenot was positively identified by one of the bank tellers and another anonymous individual who recognized Fontenot’s posture in a photo line-up.
Eunice Police Detective A.J. Frank said that other circumstantial evidence has come to light in the investigation into Fontenot.
He said that other evidence has “narrowed it down” to placing Fontenot as the alleged bank robber.
“There’s outstanding, numerous circumstantial evidence on top of the initial investigation,” said Frank. “The money that (Fontenot) has been displaying and passing out was all brand-new money.”
Dies said that charges are expected to soon be filed against Fontenot by the Eunice Police Department.