A joint effort between the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Natchitoches Police Department has led to the arrest of a suspect and the recovery of a stolen dirt bike taken during an alleged Facebook Marketplace transaction, according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.
On Sunday, July 26, 2026, at approximately 12:37 p.m., Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau responded to the area of La. Highway 1 and La. Highway 119 in Natchez after receiving NATCOM 911 Center reports of a dirt bike being operated on the roadway.
While en route, Deputies learned that Natchitoches Police Department investigated the theft of a dirt bike the previous day within the City of Natchitoches. An officer with Natchitoches Police provided deputies with photographs of both the stolen motorcycle and the suspect.
The investigation revealed that the victim, from Arnaudville, La. had arranged to sell his 2007 Honda dirt bike through Facebook Marketplace.
During the meeting, the prospective buyer requested permission to test ride the motorcycle. A Natchitoches Police Officer who was conducting routine patrol in the area, observed the victim and suspect with the dirt bike and advised the suspect that if he intended to test ride it, he was to remain on private property and not operate it on the public roadway.
After the Officer cleared the scene, he was dispatched back approximately five minutes later after learning the suspect had allegedly fled with the dirt bike and failed to return. A second individual who had remained behind with a backpack purportedly containing the purchase money also fled the area on foot.
As deputies continued toward Natchez, witnesses advised they had last observed the dirt bike traveling on Main Street. While searching the area, deputies observed what appeared to be the gold front fender of a dirt bike protruding from behind a railroad equipment shed near the railroad crossing.
Upon further investigation, de;puties located a male identified as Tyrone Harts, 29, of Pineville standing near the motorcycle. As deputies approached, Harts attempted to walk away but was quickly detained.
Although portions of the dirt bike had been spray-painted gold in what investigators believe was an attempt to conceal its identity, deputies recognized it as matching the motorcycle reported stolen the previous day.
Deputies verified the motorcycle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), through the National Crime Information Center which matched the 2007 Honda dirt bike reported stolen by the victim.
Harts was placed under arrest without incident.
The victim later advised investigators the motorcycle was valued between $5,000 and $7,000.
Harts was transported and booked into to the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center, charged with:
• Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle
• Possession of Stolen Things
Sheriff Stuart Wright commended the teamwork between the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Natchitoches Police Department in quickly locating the stolen property and identifying the suspect.
“Facebook Marketplace and other online selling platforms can be convenient, but buyers and sellers should always exercise caution when meeting strangers,” said Sheriff Wright. “We encourage residents to meet in well-lit public locations, bring another person if possible, and whenever available, use designated Safe Exchange Zones at local law enforcement agencies.”
Deputies involved in the arrest were: Deputy Sgt. B. Keyer, Deputy T. Graves and Deputy Lt. B. Remo.
The dirt bike was recovered and is currently being held in a secure location pending further investigation by the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau and Natchitoches Police Department.