During the morning of May 9, 2015 officers of the Natchitoches Police Department responded to the Natchitoches Elderly Apartments located at 1120 Washington St. in reference to a fire that had been started in the apartment’s hallway. Upon arrival officers were advised by members of the Natchitoches Fire Department that they had observed a male subject lying on the floor near the southwest stairwell of the apartment building. Officers then made contact with Christopher Sykes who was later brought to the police department for further questioning. Upon arrival at police headquarters officers were able to locate materials upon the person of Mr. Sykes that were suspected in the setting of the fire at the elderly apartments. Officers then advised that spoke with the apartment manager who identified Mr. Sykes and revealed a possible motive for the setting of the fire was possibly due to Sykes being evicted from his apartment.

Christopher Sykes, 31 Y.O.A., 1120 Washington St., Apt. #38, was arrested on one (1) count of LA R.S. 14:52 Simple Arson and later transported out the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.

If anyone has information about the arson please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101 or you may contact Detective John Greely of the Natchitoches Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at (318) 357-3811. All calls shall be kept confidential.