An 18-year-old Natchitoches man is in jail after he allegedly stole a vehicle, then led Louisiana State Police and Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies on a 25-mile pursuit before crashing on La. Hwy 117 south of Provencal on Tuesday morning according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.
It all began Tuesday morning, Nov. 30, at approximately 7:37am, when a female called NATCOM 911 Center reporting that her black 2021 Toyota Camry had been stolen while she was inside a business in the 200 block of Keyser Avenue in Natchitoches.
Natchitoches Police responded to the scene to gather information for an offense report and to enter the vehicle in NCIC as stolen.
NATCOM 911 Center issued a BOLO (Be on the Lookout) message to all Natchitoches Parish law enforcement agencies for the missing vehicle.
At 9:10am, Louisiana State Police Trooper John Axsom and NPSO Deputy Silas Axsom were sitting stationary in the Natchez area, when they observed the stolen Toyota Camry traveling southbound on La. Hwy 1 in Natchez.
They attempted to stop the vehicle with emergency lights on, however, the operator failed to stop leading state police and deputies on a 25-mile pursuit traveling down La. Hwy 1 to Cypress, then La. Hwy 120 to I-49, then northbound on I-49 exiting at the Waterwell exit turning left on La. Hwy 478 to La. Hwy 120 at Flora reaching speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour. The vehicle then turned right on La. Hwy 120 traveling into Provencal turning left traveling south on La. Hwy 117.
Deputies say as they were traveling southbound on La. Hwy 117 south of the Vernon Wester Road entering a curve to the right, the vehicle crossed the center-line leaving the roadway on the left side, going airborne for a short distance striking a utility pole then several trees coming to a rest in an upright position.
Additional NPSO Units were deployed in the area to assist.
The suspect identified as 18-year-old Matthew O’Sean Robinson, of the 1200 block of Allen Street, Natchitoches was taken into custody without incident. Deputies did request Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS respond to the scene to assess Robinson for injuries due to the crash.
He was released at the scene with no transport.
Robinson was transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center with State Police charges of Unauthorized Use of a Moveable valued over $15,000, Aggravated Flight from an Officer, Criminal Damage to Property, Aggravated Obstruction of a Highway, Possession of CDS I Marijuana, No Drivers License, Driving Left of Center and several other traffic violations.
Robinson was released from the Natchitoches Detention Center on Monday on two previous motor vehicle theft charges. Deputies say when they asked Robinson where he got the vehicle from, he replied that he stole it because he likes stealing vehicles.
Robinson remains in the Natchitoches Detention Center with other charges pending by Natchitoches Police Department.
The vehicle which received heavy damage was recovered from the scene by a local towing service.
