A high-speed pursuit involving a stolen vehicle ended in the arrest of two suspects Monday evening, according to the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities say the incident began around 7:10 p.m. on April 13, 2026, when deputies were alerted to a stolen vehicle entering DeSoto Parish near the Louisiana-Texas state line in the Logansport area.
Patrol Deputy Jerek Lewis located the vehicle traveling north on Highway 5 just north of Horn Road and attempted a traffic stop using lights and sirens. The driver refused to stop, accelerating to speeds exceeding 110 miles per hour as the pursuit continued northbound.
During the chase, occupants of the vehicle were observed throwing an unknown item from the window, which investigators say has since been recovered and remains under investigation.
The pursuit came to a turning point when Corporal Larry McCloskey deployed spike strips near the Keatchi water tower around 7:19 p.m., successfully disabling the vehicle. The car traveled only a short distance before stopping in a driveway along Highway 5.
Both suspects then fled on foot into a nearby wooded area. Deputies quickly established a perimeter, utilizing a drone and K-9 unit to assist in the search. Sergeant Kelby Pearah and K-9 Karen joined the effort, helping track the suspects.
Within minutes, both individuals were located and taken into custody at approximately 7:35 p.m. by Deputy Taylor Spikes without further incident. Officials noted that only 25 minutes elapsed from the initial alert to the arrests.
Arrested were 19-year-old Tracy Leon Billingsley of Austin, Texas, charged with resisting an officer by flight, and 18-year-old Braden Douglas Crabb of Terre Haute, Indiana. Crabb faces additional charges, including aggravated flight from an officer and illegal possession of stolen property.
Investigators confirmed the vehicle had been stolen from a U.S. Army service member in Killeen, Texas.
Sheriff Jayson Richardson praised the deputies and dispatchers for their swift response and coordination, noting their actions brought a dangerous situation to a safe conclusion without injuries.
The investigation remains ongoing.