NPSO: 43 mile chase ends with arrest in Rapides Parish

NATCHITOCHES, La. (KALB) - According to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, Byron Roberts, 35, of New Orleans, is in custody after a 43 mile chase on Sunday, March 10, which crossed the border between Natchitoches and Rapides Parish. NPSO said that a sergeant on patrol on I-49 attempted to stop a 2007 Infiniti Passenger traveling 16 mph above the speed limit. Roberts did not pull over the vehicle and instead continued southbound, hitting speeds of over 125 mph. They said Roberts exited and returned to the interstate multiple times throughout the pursuit and passed other vehicles on the shoulder. Authorities stated that as pursuing deputies in Natchitoches Parish approached Rapides Parish, they contacted the Louisiana State Police and Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office for assistance with the pursuit. Authorities said LSP took over the chase near Boyce with assistance from RPSO and NPSO. The chase reportedly ended when the vehicle ran off the road and crashed north of Alexandria on I-49, near Rapides Station. NPSO stated that Roberts was taken into custody by LSP and booked into Rapides Parish Detention Center and that NPSO is in the process of securing a warrant to charge Roberts in Natchitoches Parish. Additionally, Roberts had an outstanding warrant in Natchitoches Parish for multiple driving-related offenses, including flight from an officer. This is an ongoing investigation.