Patrol shift “D” of the Bogalusa Police Department was recently involved in two separate early-morning vehicle pursuits that ended with the recovery of two stolen vehicles and the arrests of two juveniles, according to Maj. Percy Knight, public information officer for the BPD.

“The first vehicle pursuit occurred on Saturday, Oct. 21, at 2:30 a.m. when BPD officers clocked a vehicle on North Columbia Street near Mississippi Avenue traveling 67 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone,” Knight said. “As officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the vehicle fled from the officers. Due to the high rate of speed, the vehicle made a wide turn off of North Columbia Street onto City Limits Road, almost striking the fuel pumps in a convenience store parking lot.

“The fleeing vehicle then made an abrupt right turn off of City Limits Road onto Mitch Road, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle jumped a ditch bank and struck a tree. The driver, a 16 year-old juvenile, was apprehended. Officers could smell the odor of marijuana was emanating from the vehicle. Officers searched the vehicle and located a freshly rolled blunt containing suspected marijuana. Also, a handgun and a camouflage facemask were located inside the vehicle.

“After a check of the license plate number, the vehicle had been previously reported stolen to the Franklinton Police Department. The vehicle was stolen from the Washington Parish Fairgrounds. The juvenile driver was transported to the emergency room at Our Lady of the Angels Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.”

The juvenile was later arrested and booked on the charges of speeding, aggravated flight from an officer, illegal possession of stolen things, illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile, possession of marijuana, no driver’s license, and illegal carrying of weapons while in the possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Knight added that, due to the injuries, the juvenile was turned over to a parent.

“The second pursuit occurred on Monday, Oct. 23, at 2:11 a.m. when the Bogalusa Police Department received a call in reference about a suspicious vehicle without headlights on, in the area of Marshall Richardson Road and Redwood Avenue,” Knight said. “The suspicious vehicle was located traveling north on Avenue F near West 17th Street. When officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed.

“The pursuit continued to the north side of city when the vehicle left the roadway on Sabine Street, drove through a gravel parking lot and crashed into a chain linked fence. After crashing into the fence, the driver exited the vehicle and began to flee on foot. After a short foot chase, the driver, a 14-year-old juvenile, was apprehended.

“Officers searched the vehicle and located a cardboard box that contained ‘burglary tools,’ which included a screwdriver, pair of pliers and multiple pairs of rubber gloves.

“Officers notified the registered owner of the vehicle and he was unaware that the vehicle had just been stolen.”

That juvenile was placed under arrest and booked on the charges of aggravated flight from an officer, flight from an officer, criminal damage to property (the fence), possession of burglary tools, theft of a motor vehicle and no driver’s license.

The juvenile was transported to Florida Parishes Detention Center in Robert.

Due to the suspects’ ages, their names and photos were not released.