On Friday, May 31, 2024 at approx. 03:40 AM, a DeRidder Police patrol unit observed a 2024 Nissan Rogue traveling without taillights. As the officer was attempting to catch up with the vehicle and before he activated his emergency lights, the vehicle began traveling away from the officer at a high rate of speed. A vehicle pursuit then began northbound on US 171 (N. Pine Street) and into Vernon Parish and the Town of Rosepine.
The vehicle appeared to attempt a turn onto a parish road in Rosepine and due to the speed, crashed into a pharmacy building, causing substantial damage to the pharmacy and vehicle, with no injuries to the occupants of the vehicle.
The officers learned the driver, a 15 year old male juvenile of Rosepine, had taken a family member’s brand new vehicle and a handgun without knowledge or permission. The juvenile driver had two other juveniles in the vehicle with him at the time.
All three juveniles were charged with curfew violations as well as the juvenile driver was booked for numerous traffic violations, aggravated flight from an officer, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and possession of a handgun by a juvenile.
Due to the incident still being under investigation by the DeRidder and Rosepine Police Departments, no other information will be released at this time.