A New Orleans man is in custody following a 43-mile pursuit that began in Natchitoches Parish and ended in Rapides Parish according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

 

It began on March 10 shortly after 11:15 am, when Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Sgt. T. Baptiste patrolling on I-49 near milepost #142 north of Natchitoches attempted to stop a southbound 2007 Infiniti passenger for Speeding 91 miles per hour in a posted 75 mph speed zone.

 

Deputies say the vehicle failed to stop continuing at speeds over 125 miles per hour, and at times passing other vehicles on the shoulder.

 

As, the pursuit continued the vehicle exited at the Cloutierville exit, returned to the interstate, traveling southbound, then the Chopin exit and continued southbound.

 

Deputies believed the pursuit would continue into Rapides as the pursuing deputy provided continous updates as to pursuit milepost locations.

 

NATCOM 911 Center contacted LSP Troop-E Alexandria and the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office requesting assistance with the pursuit.

 

Troopers and Rapides deputies immediately responded to assist along Interstate-49 in Rapides Parish where tire deflation devices were deployed in an effort to end the pursuit.

 

LSP took over the pursuit near Boyce with assistance from the NPSO and Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office.

 

Deputies say the pursuit ended when the vehicle left the roadway and crashed on I-49 near milepost #99 at Rapides Station north of Alexandria.

 

At that point, the driver refused to exit the vehicle but was taken into custody a short while later by LSP without incident at approximately 12:02 pm.

 

There were no injuries.

 

Byron Roberts, 35, of New Orleans was transported from the scene by Louisiana State Police to a Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Detention Center and booked on State Police charges with a hold for the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

 

NPSO Deputies are in the process of securing warrants through the 10th Judicial District Court on Natchitoches Parish charges.

 

Roberts is also wanted by the Natchitoches 10th Judicial District Court on an outstanding bench warrant for Speeding, Driving under Suspension and Flight from an Officer.

 

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office thanks Louisiana State Police, Troop-E Alexandria, and Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this arrest.

 

We also commend our communication operators and patrol deputies that were involved in the operations and eventual capture of this suspect.