A deputy observing suspicious activity and a brief pursuit early this morning has led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle and other items according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.
Shortly after 1:00am on August 14, 2024, Deputy B. Keyser assigned to the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau was patrolling on Keith Drive in Payne Sub-Division near Natchitoches when he observed a black Dodge Ram dually pickup truck pulling a trailer loaded with a Cub Cadet zero-turn mower blocking the roadway. The trailer had no visible lighting or reflectors.
As Deputy Keyser was nearing the vehicle he observed a young male standing near the trailer flee on foot leading him to believe criminal activity existed. The truck then sped off, leading deputies on a brief pursuit through Payne Sub-Division coming to a stop on Cherie Loop. Three males, that appeared to be young, bailed out of the vehicle and began to flee the area towards Keith Drive.
Additional back-up units from the NPSO and Louisiana State Police responded to assist and canvass the area for the suspects. Deputies were unable to locate the suspects. A local wrecker service was contacted to impound the truck, trailer and lawn mower pending an investigation.
While waiting on the wrecker service, deputies conducted an inventory of the vehicle which also included running the license plate and vehicle identification numbers through the National Crime Information Center.
The National Crime Information Center is an effective law enforcement database system that stores information on fugitives, wanted and missing persons, stolen property such as vehicles, guns, and articles, etc.
When a law enforcement officer runs information through NCIC it will alert the dispatch center if there is an active want/hit on the requested inquiry which is confirmed by the entering agency. Deputies learned through the NCIC inquiry that the black 2020 Dodge Ram dually pickup truck was reported stolen to Houston Police Department on July 2, 2024. Deputies are still attempting to locate the owners of the Big Tex utility trailer and Cub Cadet zero-turn lawn mower.
Deputies remained on scene for over three hours, processing the scene, and gathering information for investigative reports.
The suspects remain at-large. The investigation remains active and ongoing. If you have any information please contact the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau at 357-7830 or Natchitoches Crime Stoppers at 318-238-2388. Crime Stoppers is not a law enforcement agency. You may be eligible for a reward.
Deputy B. Keyser was assisted by the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau and Louisiana State Police.
