Sulphur, Louisiana - Early on the morning of July 24, 2024, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) deputies responded to reports of a stolen vehicle from Port Arthur, Texas. The vehicle, which had been reported stolen, was spotted in Sulphur, prompting an attempted stop by law enforcement at approximately 4:30 a.m.
As deputies approached the suspect vehicle near E. Napoleon Street and Willow Street, the driver refused to comply. This initiated a brief but intense pursuit, which ended when the vehicle stopped at a dead-end on Barney Hoffpauir Road. The driver, along with two passengers, exited the vehicle and fled on foot into a nearby wooded area.
CPSO deputies quickly established a perimeter to contain the suspects and deployed a K9 unit to assist in the search. By 6:00 a.m., deputies successfully located two of the suspects: a 16-year-old juvenile and 18-year-old Droman T. Baltazar, both from Texas. Quindarius Moore, also 18 and from Texas, later surrendered to law enforcement later that morning.
During the investigation, detectives discovered two firearms in the stolen vehicle. Both guns were identified as stolen, and several items belonging to victims from Sulphur and nearby Lake Charles were found inside the car. These belongings were connected to a series of vehicle burglaries reported earlier that same day.
Baltazar and Moore were arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center, while the juvenile was transported to a local hospital for injuries sustained during his apprehension. He was later discharged and taken to the Juvenile Detention Center.
The trio faces multiple charges, including illegal possession of stolen property valued at less than $1,000, illegal possession of stolen property valued between $5,000 and $25,000, aggravated flight from an officer, and two counts of illegal possession of stolen firearms. Baltazar faces an additional charge for possession of marijuana. Bonds for the suspects have not yet been determined.
CPSO Detective Allen Cormier is leading the ongoing investigation, which may result in additional charges as more information becomes available.
An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.