Ruston Police arrested a man early Thursday morning after spotting him attempting to hide from a patrol car.

Sergeant K. D. Loyd was patrolling through the Celebrity Drive area regarding an ongoing problem with burglaries and catalytic converter thefts when a moving shadow caught her eye. Loyd did not see anyone initially but looking back in her rear view mirror saw a man jump up from behind a business sign and walk quickly into a wooded area on Celebrity Drive.

The man, equipped with a backpack, was wearing dark clothing and attempted to hide in the trees. Additional officers were called to the scene to search for the man. An officer spotted the man and ordered him to stop but he continued running. Another officer saw the suspect behind Walmart and again ordered him to stop but had to chase him down.

The man gave his name as Joseph Gaines Pryor, 30, no known address, but possessed no identification. The backpack he was carrying contained a large amount of assorted change and jewelry. Pryor also possessed a head lamp and gloves.

Pryor was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for three counts of resisting an officer. His identity had not been confirmed at press time.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

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