A man is under arrest following a high-speed police pursuit through Opelousas on Thursday.
Police say the pursuit began after a report that a vehicle had been stolen from an O’Reilly’s parking lot. The pursuit took police through the area of Opelousas known the “Hill.” Police say the vehicle was reportedly involved in several crashes after being stolen from O’Reilly’s.
The vehicle was spotted near Vincent Street and Laurent Street where it struck a police unit and led officers through several neighborhoods in the area. Police say the vehicle struck other vehicles, mailboxes, and another police unit during the chase.
The chase ended on Foster Street where, according to police, the car became disabled due to damage sustained in the pursuit.
Courtesy OPD
After a brief struggle, police were able to take the driver, 23-year-old Javanta Thibodeaux, into custody. Thibodeaux has been booked into the St. Landry Parish jail on the following charges:
- Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle
- Hit and run
- Reckless operation of a vehicle
- Stop signs and yield signs
- Aggravated criminal damage to property
- Careless operation
- Flight from an officer; aggravated flight from off
- Driver must be licensed
- Possession of Schedule I drugs
Police say that two officers received minor injuries during the pursuit. A passenger in another vehicle struck by Thibodeaux was also injured.
