Welsh man who allegedly threatened to shoot his mother and fled from police was found hiding in a doghouse Thursday following a manhunt, according to Welsh Police Chief Marcus Crochet.

Ronnier Sonnier, 37, was taken into custody without incident around 3 p.m. after he was found hiding in a doghouse in the backyard of a residence near Elizabeth Street and U.S. 90, Crochet said.

Sonnier was arrested on charges of aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of firearm or carrying a concealed weapon by a felon, two counts resisting an officer and domestic abuse aggravated assault with child endangerment.

He faces an additional charge of burglary after authorities say he broke into a local business and changed clothes.

The incident began Thursday morning when police were called to a residence in the 200 block of West South Street after Sonnier allegedly threatened to shoot his mother if she tried to take his daughter away.

Sonnier does not have legal custody of the daughter, who is currently in care of his mother, according to Crochet.

When police arrived, Sonnier fled out the backdoor and led police on a chase, he said.

 

Police lost sight of Sonnier and spent the day searching a wooded area near the home and an area just south near U.S. 90.