Something or Someone told Neekus Jones to drive by his car dealership early Sunday evening.
He was shocked by what he saw when he drove up to his business on the South I-20 Service Road.
“I felt God was telling me to go by and check on the place,” Jones told the Lincoln Parish Journal in an interview Tuesday. “First thing I noticed was the porch light was out. We always leave the light on.”
Then Jones saw a truck leaving the business, Ruston Pre-Owned Cars & Trucks, at 2801 South Service Road West. “It took a second before I realized that was one of our trucks.”
Jones said a vehicle theft from a small business like his can be devastating financially. He followed the truck and called 911.
“He hit some high speeds on I-20 and then got off at the LA 33 exit,” Jones said. “I was giving locations to 911 and trying to follow him.” The Chevrolet Silverado pickup reached the Pea Ridge community north of Ruston where the suspect bailed out and ran into the woods just before Lincoln Parish deputies reached the scene. The truck suffered minor damage as it hit the trees.
Unsure what had happened back at the business, deputies sent Grambling Police to the scene where officers found the office had been burglarized by smashing the glass out of the front door.
The break-in occurred Sunday night shortly after 5:00 p.m. as motorists passed on the street and the adjacent interstate. The business is just outside the city of Ruston in the town of Grambling.
Multiple cameras caught the suspect on video as he broke into the office, rummaged through desk drawers and took ignition keys.
One video shows a man throw an object through the door glass to gain entry into the office. The suspect then attempted to disconnect cameras. Jones said he had installed a fairly elaborate video system since he had been victimized before by thefts of a car hauler and various pieces of equipment.
The videos may be viewed on the Facebook page of Ruston Pre-Owned Cars & Trucks.
The case is under investigation by the Grambling Police Department. Jones said he had received a number of phone calls from people trying to help him identify the suspect. Jones posted his phone number on Facebook asking for people to take a close look at the videos.
Information can also be submitted to CrimeStoppers of Lincoln Parish. CrimeStopper tips can be given in several ways: by calling 318-255-1111 or through www.rustonlincolncrimestoppers.com. Tipsters remain anonymous and are eligible to receive a cash reward if the information given leads to an arrest or grand jury indictment.
Then Jones saw a truck leaving the business, Ruston Pre-Owned Cars & Trucks, at 2801 South Service Road West. “It took a second before I realized that was one of our trucks.”
Jones said a vehicle theft from a small business like his can be devastating financially. He followed the truck and called 911.
“He hit some high speeds on I-20 and then got off at the LA 33 exit,” Jones said. “I was giving locations to 911 and trying to follow him.” The Chevrolet Silverado pickup reached the Pea Ridge community north of Ruston where the suspect bailed out and ran into the woods just before Lincoln Parish deputies reached the scene. The truck suffered minor damage as it hit the trees.
Unsure what had happened back at the business, deputies sent Grambling Police to the scene where officers found the office had been burglarized by smashing the glass out of the front door.
The break-in occurred Sunday night shortly after 5:00 p.m. as motorists passed on the street and the adjacent interstate. The business is just outside the city of Ruston in the town of Grambling.
Multiple cameras caught the suspect on video as he broke into the office, rummaged through desk drawers and took ignition keys.
One video shows a man throw an object through the door glass to gain entry into the office. The suspect then attempted to disconnect cameras. Jones said he had installed a fairly elaborate video system since he had been victimized before by thefts of a car hauler and various pieces of equipment.
The videos may be viewed on the Facebook page of Ruston Pre-Owned Cars & Trucks.
The case is under investigation by the Grambling Police Department. Jones said he had received a number of phone calls from people trying to help him identify the suspect. Jones posted his phone number on Facebook asking for people to take a close look at the videos.
Information can also be submitted to CrimeStoppers of Lincoln Parish. CrimeStopper tips can be given in several ways: by calling 318-255-1111 or through www.rustonlincolncrimestoppers.com. Tipsters remain anonymous and are eligible to receive a cash reward if the information given leads to an arrest or grand jury indictment.
