Juvenile Arrested Following Pursuit of Stolen Vehicle
Officers with the Opelousas Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop this morning on a black GMC pickup truck reported stolen. The driver refused to comply, and officers initiated a pursuit. Due to increasing speeds and concerns for the safety of motorists and pedestrians during the morning commute, the pursuit was terminated in the interest of public safety.
Shortly afterward, a deputy with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office located the vehicle stopped near Highway 357, where the driver was observed fleeing on foot. A perimeter was quickly established, and a K-9 unit was deployed, successfully locating the suspect hiding in a nearby sugarcane field. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident.
Officers later learned the suspect is a 14-year-old juvenile. During the pursuit, several motorists sustained damage to their vehicles caused by the fleeing suspect.
The juvenile is being charged with the following offenses:
Aggravated Flight from an Officer
Criminal Damage to Property
Additional charges are pending review and processing
The Opelousas Police Department would like to thank the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the swift locating and apprehension of the juvenile suspect.
Further information may be released as the investigation continues. Anyone with any additional information, in either of these cases, is asked to contact the Opelousas Police Department at (337) 948-2500 or St. Landry Crime Stoppers at (337) 948-TIPS (8477).
All calls will remain anonymous, and tips leading to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.
Joe Anderson/PIO
Opelousas Police Department
Protection Through Service
