Berwick man accused of firing at St. Mary deputies

A Berwick man was arrested Friday morning after firing shots at deputies in an attempt to get way from a traffic stop, the St. Mary Sheriff Blaise Smith said.

Robert "Pecan: Parker, 40, Berwick, was arrested at 8:50 a.m. Friday on charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated flight from an officer, possession of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute Schedule II drugs, reckless operation with accident, illegal possession of stolen firearms, hit and run and aggravated obstruction of justice.

Parker was also named in three St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office warrants alleging failure to appear on the charges of introduction of contraband into a penal institution, possession of synthetic cannabinoids, aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, resisting an officer, possession of marijuana, possession of MDMA (Ecstasy) and illegal possession of weapons:

According to the Sheriff's Office account:

On Friday, deputies with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office were notified by the Berwick Police Department of a disturbance involving Parker. Deputies were advised to be on the lookout for Parker, and knew that he held active warrants with the SMPSO.

Sometime later, deputies located Parker's vehicle on U.S. 90 in Bayou Vista and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle. Parker refused to stop and continued west on U.S. 90 at a high rate of speed.

After a short vehicle pursuit, Parker crashed his vehicle in Patterson. Upon exiting the vehicle, the subject, identified as Parker, fired a shot at deputies as he fled the scene on foot.

Parker was located later and taken into custody. He was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking. Bail was set on the new charges (excluding the FTA warrants) at $500,000.

The sheriff thanked the Patterson and Berwick police departments for their assistance.