NATCHITOCHES, La. -- A three-week investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies has resulted in the arrests of four teenagers accused of stealing all-terrain vehicles valued at about $18,000. Charges are pending on two others, one of whom ran following a pursuit, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright said Thursday in a news release. Arrested so far and their charges are:
- Ryan J. Babineaux, 19, of Natchitoches, illegal possession of stolen things and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles. Booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.
- 16-year-old of Natchitoches, illegal possession of stolen things. Booked into Ware Juvenile Center in Coushatta.
- Matthew Daniels, 17, of Natchitoches, illegal possession of stolen things and resisting an officer. Booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.
- Kamen Roll, 17, of Natchitoches, illegal possession of stolen things and illegal possession of a handgun. Booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.
The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office on April 30 began an investigation into ATV thefts in the parish. The first two were reported stolen from the 1200 block of state Highway 494 south of Natchitoches. The 2021 Robicon and 2013 Honda Rancher were stolen during the night. During the investigation, detectives learned through confidential sources one of the ATVs was for sale on a social media platform. The sale was to take place in Ajax on May 2. NPSO detectives and patrol deputies and Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force Agents called on Sabine Parish sheriff’s detectives and the Sabine Parish Tactical Narcotics Team for help with surveillance in the area. And just before midnight, they intercepted the driver and passengers of a pickup truck on Highway 174 near Cowboy's Truck Stop asn they tried to unload the ATV. Three were taken into custody and three others left the scene in the pickup with deputies in pursuit. The truck driver crashed in the parking lot of a nearby sawmill, where two more were arrested. The third ran into a wooded area. DeSoto Parish sheriff’s deputies with a K-9 and drone and the Winn Parish K-9 tracking team responded to assist. NPSO issued a social media advisory post informing the public of the incident and asking residents to secure their vehicles and call the NPSO if they saw anyone suspicious in the area. The search went on throughout the night with NPSO ATVs, the K-9s and drone, but the efforts were unsuccessful in finding the last suspect. Meanwhile, detectives recovered the Honda ATV from the back of the pickup and seized a Smith & Wesson 9mm semi-automatic handgun that was inside. Detectives say charges are still pending on two suspects including the suspect that fled the scene at Ajax. The other ATV was located just south of Natchitoches. Detectives say this is an active and ongoing investigation as they attempt to identify, locate, and arrest other suspects involved in recent thefts of ATVs in the parish. Wright expressed appreciation to the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office, DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, Winn Parish K-9 Tracking Team and all NPSO Deputies that took part in the investigation.