Man charged with breaking into motel, beating manager

A 45-year-old Luling man allegedly snuck into a bathroom window at Breaux’s Motel and assaulted a female manager with a bicycle handlebar, according to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Surveillance footage caught Emmett M. Thomas, of 608 Paul Fredrick St. in Luling, pacing in front of the motel for a couple of hours before he entered into an open bathroom window near the main office, Sgt. Dwayne LaGrange, Sheriff’s Office spokesman, said. When the manager of the motel noticed the open window, she went to investigate.

“When she opened up the bathroom door, the suspect began striking her in the face and neck region with a bicycle handlebar,” LaGrange said. “She was eventually able to stop the attack by breaking free and shutting the door.”

The woman ran back to the office and called 911. LaGrange said that Thomas could be seen on the surveillance camera leaving the bathroom through the window after the attack.
Deputies were able to secure a picture of Thomas from the footage and soon identified him. He was arrested and charged with aggravated burglary.

The victim, who had several bruises, was treated by EMT workers at the scene.

“We assume that he was either looking for someone who was staying at the motel, or he saw the open window and thought it was an opportunity to break in without being seen,” LaGrange said. “It’s really important for businesses located in highly traveled areas such as the Highway 90 corridor to take the necessary precautions and make sure their businesses are secure.”