Kaplan man leads State Police, Lafayette police, Kaplan police and Sheriff's Office on a chase

A 34-year-old Kaplan man is locked up in the Vermilion Parish Correctional Center Wednesday night after he led Louisiana State Police, Lafayette Police, Kaplan Police and Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office officers on a vehicle chase through Lafayette, rural Vermilion Parish and Kaplan on Wednesday night.
The chase began around 9:20 p.m. and ended at 10:30 p.m. on Boudreaux Street in Kaplan.
Arrested was Earl J. Meche Jr. of Kaplan. He was charged with Unauthorized use of a Moveable, Flight from an Officer, Reckless Operation of a Vehicle, Aggravated Battery and No Driver’s Licence.
Lafayette police say the 60-year- old female victim of Breaux Bridge was walking to her vehicle in a parking lot when she heard footsteps behind her. She says when she looked in the direction of the footsteps, she saw a white male suspect running towards her. She said she attempted to run, but the suspect pushed her to the ground, stole her purse, and fled the scene in a silver vehicle.
Corporal Paul Mouton with Lafayette Police said the suspect’s vehicle was followed by a motorist, who then called police.
According to State Police Master Trooper Brooks David, troopers assisted the Lafayette Police Department as they left their city limits pursuing a reported purse snatcher.
Troopers joined Lafayette as they traveled south on US 167 and entered into Vermilion Parish.
During the chase, it was learned that the suspect’s vehicle, a 1998 Honda Accord, was reported stolen out of Vermilion Parish, said David.
Troopers and officers stayed with the vehicle as it traveled down several state highways, including La. 35 and city streets in Kaplan.
The suspect entered the city limits of Kaplan, where troopers were joined by the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office and Kaplan Police Department.
The Honda Accord finally came to a stop after he ran into a Vermilion Parish Sheriff’ deputy’s vehicle.
Meche’s vehicle hit the passenger’s side of the Sheriff’s vehicle. Sheriff Deputy Trey Wells was parked waiting for Meche to turn onto a certain road.
Meche, however, cut through yards and jumped a few ditches and then slammed into Wells’ parked car on the 1100 block of Boudreaux Avenue.
Wells was bruised from the crash and taken to a local hospital where he was released.
This case remains under investigation.