Armed robbery suspect now wanted for girlfriend’s death

Published 9:00 am Wednesday, July 24, 2019

A Farmerville, La., man is being held in the Warren County Jail awaiting extradition to Union Parish, La., where he faces a charge of second degree murder.

Union Parish Sheriff Dusty Gates said a warrant was issued for Andre Durant Walker, 38, charging him with second-degree murder in the death of his 35-year-old girlfriend, Marie Sanchez Cardin of Bernice, La.

Walker is charged in Vicksburg with armed robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in the Tuesday morning robbery of Quick Mart, 3600 Washington St. Municipal Judge Penny Lawson set his bond at $1 million at an initial appearance Wednesday morning.

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Gates said Walker told Vicksburg officers about killing Cardin during questioning about the robbery, adding her body was found at Walker’s home in Farmerville Tuesday. She had been reported missing Sunday.

Gates said once Walker waives extradition, he will be picked up by Union Parish deputies and returned to Farmerville.

Walker is accused of entering the Quick Mart at 7:29 a.m. Tuesday, brandishing a handgun and demanding money. He reportedly took an undisclosed amount of money from the cash register and fled on foot.

The clerk was not injured and one else was in the store.

Walker was arrested shortly before 1 p.m. at the Greyhound Bus Station on South Frontage Road and faced charges of armed robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Edwards said the arrest was the result of a tip phoned in to police by a person who saw Walker at the bus station. The caller said they recognized Walker from a photo in a press release on the robbery issued by police over the Internet.

About John Surratt

John Surratt is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in general studies. He has worked as an editor, reporter and photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post staff since 2011 and covers city government. He and his wife attend St. Paul Catholic Church and he is a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club.

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