The Opelousas Police Department’s Patrol Division has arrested Walter Lee Laws  25, of  824 St. Cyr Street Opelousas, with Illegal Carrying of Weapons, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Battery of a Police Officer (2 counts), Resisting an Officer (Violently), and Criminal Damage to Property  .  This arrest was the result of a TIP received by Chief Thompson on April 18, 2015 from a concerned citizen about a young man in the neighborhood allegedly committing robberies that were going unreported.  Chief Thompson after receiving the information solicited the help of a senior investigator to confirm the TIP.  During the investigation into the TIP the investigator was able to confirm that the information received by the Chief was indeed accurate. While speaking with several individuals the investigator was able to determine that the individual, who was identified as Walter Lee Laws, actions were escalating and that patrol would need to be on the look out.  The department was then able to notify on duty patrol officers of the situation via email.  At approximately 3:00 p.m. the investigator sent out by the Chief was contacted and advised that Mr. Laws was riding a bicycle towards the Vista Village Shopping Center and was in possession of the firearm.  The investigator was able to relay the information along with clothing description to the patrol units.  An alert young officer was able to observe Mr. Laws already inside of a one of the stores.  The officer was able to relay this information to responding units and his Supervisor.  The officer and his supervisor (which is a K-9 officer) entered the store and approached Mr. Laws.  Upon speaking to Mr. Laws, he immediately struck the K-9 officers and fled thru the store.  Mr. Laws was met at the doors by several other responding officers forcing him back into the store.  Mr. Laws led officers on a brief foot chase thru out the store at one point throwing the gun to the floor.  An officer was able to secure the firearm while other officers attempted to detain Mr. Laws.  Mr. Laws was tackled by an officer while trying to run by him in the check out line.  Mr. Laws was then taken into police custody with no further incident.  Mr. Laws was transported to the Opelousas Police Department where he was booked and will be brought in front a 27th Judicial Judge for line up on Monday. Using more proactive police techniques members of the Opelousas Police Department, have seized (16) firearms from the streets of Opelousas since January 2015.