(Natchitoches)-Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies have identified and is actively searching for a Natchitoches man that led deputies on a pursuit on La. Hwy 478 then ditched the vehicle and fled into some nearby woods on Saturday morning according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.
Deputies are currently searching for 28-year-old Dajohn Maxwell Hymes, B/M, Hgt/509, Wgt/170 with black hair and brown eyes last seen wearing dark clothing.
Hymes is wanted by the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office on active criminal arrest warrants signed by a 10th Judicial District Judge for Aggravated Flight from an Officer, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of a Felony, Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Driving under Suspension, No Vehicle License, Speeding and other traffic offenses.
Hymes is also wanted on federal charges by the ATF Western District of Louisiana Field Office on Weapons Violation charges and the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office for Failure to Appear in the 10th Judicial District Court for Simple Criminal Damage to Property, Domestic Abuse Battery, and Probation Review for Simple Battery and Simple Criminal Damage to Property.
It began on Saturday morning March 19 around 11am, when NPSO Deputy B. Keyser attempted to stop a Honda passenger car on La. Hwy 478 east of La. Hwy 1 South for Speeding over 90 miles per hour and other traffic offenses.
Deputy Keyser attempted to stop the vehicle, allegedly operated by Dajohn Hymes but he failed to stop leading deputies on a pursuit in excess of 90 mph. Hymes then ditched the vehicle on La. Hwy 478 east of the Old River Road exited and fled into some nearby woods.
Multiple sheriff’s office units and Louisiana State Police responded to the scene to set-up a perimeter and coordinate a search of the area with the assistance of the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office K-9 Tracking Team.
A local wrecker service was contacted to impound the vehicle.
During an inventory of the vehicle, deputies recovered a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun with laser sights and an extended magazine containing 29 rounds of ammunition.
Deputies also observed some object other than a key was inserted in the ignition and a false temporary tag on the vehicle.
A National Crime Information Center Check revealed that the handgun had been reported stolen to Natchitoches Police Department in June of 2020 during an auto burglary in the City of Natchitoches.
A heavy law enforcement presence could be seen on La. Hwy 478 and the Old River Road area on Saturday afternoon for several hours while the search was being conducted.
Deputies postponed the search after the tracking team determined and believed that Hymes may have made it to an area and was picked up.
Hymes was arrested by Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies in December of 2018 following a 4-hour manhunt in Natchez in connection with a domestic disturbance. During that incident he jumped out a bedroom window and fled. A stolen Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun was recovered.
In August of 2021, Hymes was arrested by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Deputies on drug and weapons charges in Sabine Parish following a traffic stop. A .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun was seized in that arrest also.
Hymes has numerous other arrests and is a convicted felon.
Deputies say Hymes reportedly has ties to the Natchitoches, Natchez and Coushatta areas.
If you see Hymes, do not approach him, contact 911 or the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office at 352-6432. You may remain confidential.
Deputies remind the public to always lock your vehicles, park in lighted areas, don’t leave items in plain view and always remove weapons or other valuables from the interior of your vehicle.
Deputies thank the public who were willing to assist and called in with possible information and tips today.
