Sheriff: Pair nabbed after highway chase

Published 11:14 am Friday, July 8, 2022

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Two Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies recently joined a Franklinton police officer in a chase that began inside the town of Franklinton and continued east on Louisiana Highway 10, according to WPSO Chief Criminal Deputy Mike Haley. The officers were reportedly able to subdue the fleeing suspects after they crashed their vehicle into the ditch near Burt Road.

Arrested on Thursday were Keasia Alecia Dasha Dunn, 21, a resident of Noto Road in Independence, and Eron Johnell Wheat, 34, a resident of Leonard Chapel Road in Independence. While taking the two fleeing felons into custody, officers reportedly recovered marijuana and a .380 handgun that was reported stolen out of Tangipahoa Parish. Both were booked into the Washington Parish Jail.

Dunn is charged with being a fugitive from another jurisdiction, possession of marijuana and obstruction of justice by tampering with evidence. Her bond was set at $3,500. Other charges from the Franklinton Police Department are pending.

Wheat, the driver of the vehicle, was booked on charges of three counts of being a fugitive from another jurisdiction, possession of a stolen firearm, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, aggravated flight from an officer and traffic violations. His bond was set at $40,000. Other charges from the Franklinton Police Department are pending.

Wheat has outstanding warrants in both Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parish. He will eventually have to return to those parish jails to face charges there. His warrant from Tangipahoa Parish is for burglary of an inhabited dwelling. His St. Helena Parish warrant is for possession of a stolen firearm.

“I am not certain what these two were doing in Washington Parish,” Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal said. “But I imagine their intent was not for the benefit of our law-abiding residents. We are always glad to assist the Franklinton Police Department, just as they are always willing to assist us. It is a good partnership.”