Two Suspects From Texas Arrested in Stolen Vehicle in Louisiana After Pursuit and Assistance From Drone and Water Rescue Equipment

St John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana - Two suspects from Texas were arrested in a stolen vehicle in Louisiana after a pursuit and assistance from a drone and water rescue equipment.

On March 17, 2023, the St John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office stated that on March 16, at about 1 p.m., officers were notified of a stolen vehicle near Belle Terre Boulevard and Madewood Drive in LaPlace, Louisiana, going south toward Airline Highway.

Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the automobile upon their arrival in the area. Demaurien Taylor, 21, of North Richland Hills, Texas, was later confirmed as the driver. Taylor eluded deputies at a high rate of speed on Airline Highway, prompting a brief pursuit. Taylor then turned north on Jacob Drive, finally exiting the public road into a pasture near the back of Jacob Drive, where he came to a stop.

Taylor and a passenger, a 15-year-old female from East Canton, Texas, got out of the vehicle. Taylor and the juvenile rushed into the swamp east of Jacob Drive, ignoring authorities' requests to stop. Police established a perimeter around Bert and Gardenia streets in order to canvass the area.

SWAT officers used a drone from the St. John Parish Fire Department to find and apprehend both suspects. The female was arrested immediately along a canal.

In a press release, St John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre said “Due to Taylor’s location and the logistics of getting him out of the swamp, SWAT officers utilized a high buoyancy swift water rescue vest to provide floatation across the canal,” “This provided the safest, most expedient method for getting him out of the water, off the street and into custody.”

The juvenile was charged with fleeing and resisting an officer by flight. She is being held in custody.

Taylor, 21, was charged with resisting an officer by flight; aggravated flight from an officer by vehicle; contributing to the delinquency of juveniles; and illegal possession of stolen things.

Taylor is being held in custody in lieu of a $26,500 bond.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.