A Lafayette man wanted in Texas was arrested Friday afternoon after Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies located him driving a reported stolen vehicle, resulting in the seizure of illegal narcotics and an AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle, according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.
On Friday, July 3, 2026, NATCOM 911 Center Communications Specialists broadcast a Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office BOLO (Be On the Lookout) to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies regarding a reported stolen 2006 blue Chevrolet pickup truck believed to be traveling through Natchitoches Parish or surrounding areas.
Throughout the day, NPSO deputies remained alert and actively searched for the vehicle.
At approximately 3:30 p.m., through law enforcement sources, deputies received information indicating the stolen vehicle had been spotted in the Martin Luther King Drive area within the City of Natchitoches.
Just minutes later, at approximately 3:35 p.m., NPSO deputies located and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle in the 600 block of Martin Luther King Drive.
Deputies identified the driver as 41-year-old Rufus Evans of Lafayette, Louisiana, who has a prior criminal history. A passenger was also identified and detained while deputies and dispatchers confirmed the vehicle’s status.
The vehicle was confirmed stolen, and Evans was taken into custody without incident.
During the investigation, deputies also learned Evans was wanted by the Winkler County Sheriff’s Office, Kermit, Texas, since October 2025 for Possession of Dangerous Drugs.
A local towing service responded to the scene and impounded the recovered stolen vehicle.
During an inventory search of the vehicle, deputies discovered and seized suspected marijuana, suspected methamphetamine, a Radical Firearms .223 caliber AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle equipped with a 30-round magazine bearing the inscription “Come And Take It,” and an open container containing an alcoholic beverage.
The suspected narcotics and firearm were seized as evidence and will be submitted to the North Louisiana Crime Lab for analysis.
Evans was transported to the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center where he was booked on the following charges:
• Illegal Possession of Stolen Things (Motor Vehicle)
• Possession of CDS Schedule I (Marijuana)
• Possession of CDS Schedule II (Methamphetamine), Second or Subsequent Offense
• Illegal Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of Controlled Dangerous Substances
• Texas Fugitive Warrant – Possession of Dangerous Drugs
• Open Container Violation
Evans remains incarcerated in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center on the Natchitoches Parish charges and is expected to be extradited to Texas at a later date. Additional charges are also pending through the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives assigned to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau are assisting in the ongoing investigation.
Deputy A. Middleton was assisted by Deputy K. Edwards, Deputy C. Matheny, and Lt. M. Powell.
Sheriff Stuart Wright said:
“This arrest demonstrates the outstanding cooperation that exists between law enforcement agencies across our state and nation,” said Sheriff Stuart Wright. “Because of the information shared by the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, the vigilance of our deputies, and the teamwork displayed throughout this investigation, a wanted fugitive was taken into custody, a stolen vehicle was recovered, illegal narcotics were removed from our streets, and an AR-15 style rifle was seized. Every arrest like this makes our communities safer, and I commend our deputies for their professionalism, dedication, and commitment to protecting the citizens of Natchitoches Parish.”
The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office extends its appreciation to the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, Winkler County Sheriff’s Office, NATCOM 911 Communications Specialists, and all assisting law enforcement agencies for their cooperation during this investigation.
The investigation remains active. Additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.