Vernon Parish, La. (11/8/2022) – On Friday, November 4, 2022, at approximately 5:16 p.m., a Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office Deputy observed a vehicle driving recklessly and traveling at a high rate of speed on Highway 10.
The Deputy activated their siren and emergency lights, but the driver refused to stop and continued Westbound on Highway 10.
Additional VPSO Deputies, Officers with the Leesville Police Department, Officers with the New Llano Police Department, and LSP Troopers pursued the vehicle as it traveled from Highway 10 turning North on Highway 171.
Officers observed the vehicle traveling at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour into oncoming traffic.
During the pursuit a male subject, who identified himself as Bobby Ray Stolzle, called 911 several times to report that a Deputy was chasing him but he didn’t believe that Deputy was ‘really a cop’.
The pursuit continued onto Entrance Road and into residential areas before Stolzle drove into oncoming traffic to pass through the exit lane of the main Entrance Point onto the Ft Polk Military Base without stopping.
Military Police immediately joined in the pursuit and ultimately Stolzle wrecked his vehicle on post and attempted to flee on foot.
Stolzle was taken into custody and transported to the Vernon Parish Jail.
Troopers with the Louisiana State Police charged Stolzle with one count of Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, one count of Reckless operation of a vehicle, one count of Aggravated flight from an officer, one count of No passing zones, one count of General speed law, and one count of Tail Lamps required.
After further investigation it was also determined that Stolzle’s vehicle was responsible for property damage on Webster Maricle Road in Pitkin.
A witness at a residence observed Stolzle’s vehicle leave the roadway and travel through her yard at a high rate of speed.
The witness indicated that the vehicle struck several road signs and lost a passenger side mirror.
The resident indicated that the vehicle was traveling through the yard towards her forcing her to jump out of the way to avoid being struck by the vehicle. The witness indicated that in doing so she injured her leg.
Stolzle remains in the VPSO jail. Bond has not been set and additional charges by VPSO and Ft Polk Officals are expected.
Stolzle was granted early release from the Louisiana Department of Corrections in 2018 under the Justice Reinvestment Act which was passed at that time by the Louisiana Legislature.
All persons are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law.
