By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

HAHNVILLE – A St. Charles Parish man accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting his ex-wife Saturday evening was arrested Sunday night after a massive manhunt, Sheriff Greg Champagne said Monday.

Deputies caught up with Eric Gros, 28, of Des Allemands, late Sunday evening after a resident spotted him in a Des Allemands neighborhood. Champagne said Gros was tracked down by a K-9 unit, who located him in a wooded area near Up the Bayou Road.

Champagne said Gros had tricked his ex-wife into going to his parents’ house around 6:45 p.m. Saturday. When she arrived at the home, Gros was waiting inside with a gun.

“She was dropped off at the home by a friend, who was waiting in a car outside,” Champagne said. “When the friend heard the victim scream she ran to the window and saw the suspect holding the gun. The suspect pointed the gun at the window and made motions for the friend to leave. At that point she left and contacted police.”

Moments later, Gros forced his ex-wife into his truck and fled the area. Champagne said deputies located the truck, which had crashed near a cow pasture not far from the home, but neither Gros nor his ex-wife were inside. He said Gros then stole a boat and tried to make his way down one of the bayous and out of the area.

Champagne said at some point during the incident, the woman was able to get away and contact authorities.

“When investigators caught up with her she appeared to be very physically abused,” Champagne said. “She was treated at a local hospital and released.”

Champagne said Gros has a lengthy and violent criminal record of arrests dating back to 2000.

He was booked into the Nelson Coleman Correctional Facility in Killona on charges of domestic violence, aggravated rape, felony kidnapping and other charges. He remains in jail in lieu of a $519,500 bond.