A man suspected of robbing and beating a 60-year-old Covington woman Nov. 12 was captured by East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputies and is in the St. Tammany Jail, Sheriff Jack Strain said Tuesday.

Eric Bolton, 38, of Avoyelles Parish has been on the run from law enforcement since the early morning hours of Nov. 12, when he beat and tied up a woman in her Willow Drive home in Covington. After he tied up the women, he allegedly stole money from the woman and then stole her car.

The victim told deputies that she knew Bolton from a church group. She said she and her daughter had been trying to help Bolton get back on his feet after a long series of criminal offenses. As part of her help, the victim allowed Bolton to stay at her home, while she tried to find housing for him in Avoyelles Parish. According to the woman Bolton came to her house Thursday night and asked for a ride to Hammond. When they both returned to the Willow Drive home, Bolton allegedly attacked her with his fists, tied her up and robbed her.

Eric Bolton

Capt. George Bonnett, Sheriff’s Office spokesman said Bolton was caught when security guards at a Wal-Mart in East Baton Rouge Parish complained to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office about a man who was panhandling at the store. Bonnett said the incident happened in the past two days.

When deputies arrived, Bolton refused to give police his correct name. Once he was properly identified deputies found out Bolton had outstanding warrant for second-degree robbery, second-degree battery, false imprisonment and auto theft.

Bonnett said Bolton has an extensive record going back to the early 1980’s that includes armed robbery and kidnapping.

Detectives with the St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office went to East Baton Rouge Monday and brought Bolton back where he was booked into the St. Tammany jail, where he is being held in lieu of a $600,000 bond.