Canine team captures fleeing suspect

Published 1:09 pm Monday, September 28, 2020

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

On Sunday, the Rayburn Correctional Center canine team captured a suspect who had fled from a Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy near Lon Miley Road and Highway 21 north of Bogalusa, according to WPSO Chief Deputy Mike Haley.

Haley said that Deputy Kyle Stogner was patrolling on Louisiana Highway 21 when he noticed a driver committing traffic violations near Paige Road. The vehicle was stopped near Lon Miley Road, at which time the driver exited the vehicle and fled into nearby woods, Haley said. The Rayburn canine team arrived to assist and began a search of the woods. Approximately three hours later, the canine team located the fleeing suspect and took him into custody, Haley said.

The fleeing man was identified as Trenton Kyle Statham, 21, a resident of Highway 62. Haley said that Stogner arrested Statham and transported him to the Washington Parish Jail where he was booked on charges of possession of marijuana, resisting an officer by flight, contempt of court, failure to appear in court and traffic offenses. On Monday, the 22nd Judicial District Magistrate Judge set Statham’s bond at $4,750.

Haley said that Statham has previous stays in the Washington Parish Jail. In March of 2018, he was jailed on charges of possession of illegal drugs and possession of illegal drugs with a weapon present. A July 2019 arrest was for vehicle theft and failure to appear in court. He was arrested again in May of this year, and charged with burglary, attempted automobile theft, criminal damage, criminal trespass, two counts of contempt of court and two counts of failure to appear in court.

“Young Mr. Statham is on a fast track to a lifetime of incarceration if he doesn’t mend his ways,” Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal said. “I congratulate Deputy Stogner on a good arrest and I am so appreciative of the good assistance from the Rayburn canine team.

“These men and their canines are a wonderful asset not only to the Sheriff’s Office but also to all citizens of Washington Parish and surrounding areas.”