Ruston Police recovered two stolen vehicles and several guns after a short pursuit Saturday morning and continue to search for suspects in the case.
RPD said that at about 6:50 a.m., the department received word a Kia Sportage stolen in West Monroe was possibly in Ruston. An officer responded to the specified location to check for the vehicle. As the officer approached the location, the stolen Kia Sportage and a Toyota Camry drove away. The officer saw a passenger of the Kia motion to the Toyota before turning on another street.
The officer attempted to stop the Kia in the 1100 block of Cornell Avenue, but the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed. The short pursuit ended with the Kia in an empty field in the 1100 block of East Line Avenue. Two people fled the Kia on foot as the vehicle continued to roll into the tree line.
RPD, along with help from the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, quickly established a perimeter and recovered the Kia Sportage. A fully loaded .40 caliber Smith & Wesson pistol and a short barrel rifle were also recovered.
Following a full search of the area, officers returned to the original location where the stolen Kia and Toyota were first seen. Officers located the Toyota, which had returned. A check of the Toyota’s vehicle identification number confirmed it had been reported stolen in Dallas, Texas.
Police were able to identify one of the occupants who fled from the stolen Kia, and he was located and taken into custody near the Toyota. The suspect’s name was not immediately available.
This investigation remains active as officers work to identify additional suspects involved in this incident. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Ruston Police Department at 318-255-4141.
In a statement, RPD thanked the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office and community members who provided assistance during the investigation. “Together, through strong partnerships between law enforcement and the public, we can continue building a safer Ruston,” the statement said.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
