Yesterday, Slidell Police received a 911 call from a man who said his 2005 Ford F-250 was just stolen from the parking lot of Club 4 Fitness on Brownswitch Road.
The man stated he went inside to handle some paperwork. Upon exiting the gym he heard his truck starting and driving away at a high rate of speed.
An alert Slidell Police officer spotted the vehicle near I-10. When attempting to stop the truck, the driver fled towards New Orleans. The pursuit ended when the suspect crashed near the Michaud Boulevard exit. The truck burst into flames, but the suspect (presumably uninjured) crossed the interstate and fled into the woods.
A massive manhunt ensued with multiple law enforcement agencies. During the manhunt, two officers and one K-9 dog were injured. The officers and K-9 were attacked by hundreds of hornets, while in the marshy landscape looking for the suspect. Both officers, along with the K-9, were rushed back to Slidell to a local emergency room. All three have been treated and released, with the K-9 having to be closely monitored for any allergic reaction to the stings.
The suspect was able to elude officers and remained at-large as of last night. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or Slidell Police at 985-643-3131. You can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.
The suspect is described as an African American male with potentially large dreadlocks. He was last seen wearing dark colored clothing and red gloves. It can be assumed that the suspect will have cuts all over his body from both the crash and running through the marsh and woods.
