Powhatan, LA (2/1/2023) – Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives have arrested two juveniles. The arrest was made in connection with the theft of a fire truck valued at over $204,000.00 dollars.
On Wednesday evening, January 18, 2023, at approximately 7:35 pm, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a reported burglary at the Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #10 Fire Department in the 100 block of La. Hwy 485 in Powhatan, La.
Deputies say while speaking with the fire chief, they learned forced entry had been gained into the fire department through a door.
Deputies learned that a red 2019 Ford F-550 brush fire truck was stolen.
Deputies processed the crime scene for evidence, gathered the information, and entered the vehicle into the National Crime Information as being stolen.
NPSO posted the story on social media and contacted media outlets requesting the public’s assistance in finding the vehicle.
Within 2 hours, a concerned citizen contacted a Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputy reporting observing the vehicle abandoned behind an old home place off of La. Hwy 3191.
Deputies responded to the area. Shortly after arriving on the scene, deputies confirmed recovering the stolen vehicle. Detectives processed the vehicle for fingerprint and DNA evidence.
The fire truck was released to Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #10 with no damage; however, it would require a total clean-up.
Detectives contacted the parents of two juveniles and arranged interviews at the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division.
As a result of those interviews and sufficient evidence, detectives arrested:
*11-year-old Juvenile charged with Simple Burglary, Felony Theft of the Fire Truck, and Simple Criminal Damage to Property.
*14-year-old Juvenile charged with Simple Burglary, Felony Theft of the Fire Truck, and Simple Criminal Damage to Property.
After the arrests, both juveniles were released into the custody of a parent due to a lack of juvenile holding space pending juvenile court appearances.
Detectives say following the theft; the juveniles drove the fire truck on La. Hwy 485 to I-49 near Allen. They turned around and traveled southbound on La. Hwy 485 and turned onto the Johnson Chute Road, and traveled out to La. Hwy 1 north of Natchitoches. They then turned right on La. Hwy 1 traveling southbound into the City Limits of Natchitoches turning right on La. Hwy 3191 eventually ditched the fire truck behind the Old abandoned home place, walking and eventually catching a ride.
