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Calcasieu arrest leads to third suspect apprehended in Topsy murder investigation

Posted at 1:56 PM, Nov 15, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-15 15:04:38-05

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a man wanted out of Jeff Davis in connection with a murder in Topsy.

Deputies say that 32-year-old Justin Benoit of Lake Charles was arrested on numerous charges Wednesday following an investigation into a forced entry and sexual assault in Westlake.

Justin Benoit / Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office

Officials say that Benoit arrived at an a friends home in Westlake allegedly driving a stolen car and refused to leave. Deputies were called and Benoit fled on foot into a nearby wooded area. It was learned that Benoit had allegedly forced his way into the woman’s home and then sexually assaulted her.

The wooded area where Benoit retreated was surround and after several hours, he was taken into custody.

Benoit was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with sexual battery, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, possession of stolen things from $25,000 or more, and resisting an officer.

Benoit was also arrested on warrants out of Jeff Davis Parish including accessory after the fact to first degree murder. The Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office tells KATC that Benoit’s warrant is in connection to a murder in Topsy that occurred in August 2018.Read our original story here

Two people were previously arrested in that investigation. Read more here.

Benoit was also arrested on other charges including possession of or dealing in firearms with obliterated numbers and direct contempt of court.