MANSFIELD, La. — A man accused of committing an armed carjacking and leading law enforcement officers on a pursuit through Mansfield and surrounding areas was taken into custody Sunday afternoon following a crash, according to the Mansfield Police Department.
Police identified the suspect as Torreal Woods Jr.
At approximately 2:58 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, Mansfield Police responded to the Dollar General at 505 Washington Avenue after receiving a report of a stolen vehicle traveling westbound on Washington Avenue.
Officers spotted the stolen white 2018 Ford Explorer traveling at a high rate of speed through the Shop-A-Lott parking lot and attempted to catch up with it. Police said the vehicle briefly stopped on Schley Street before the driver sped away.
According to investigators, Woods refused to stop and drove recklessly while leading officers in and out of the Mansfield city limits. During the pursuit, police allege Woods displayed a firearm outside the driver’s side window toward pursuing officers and drove into oncoming traffic at a high rate of speed on Highway 171.
The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office assisted Mansfield Police as the pursuit continued outside the city limits. The vehicle later returned to Mansfield before traveling westbound into South Mansfield.
The pursuit ended after a PIT maneuver caused the vehicle to crash into multiple trees and come to rest in a wooded area. Mansfield Police officers removed Woods from the vehicle following the crash.
Woods sustained injuries in the crash and was transported by the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office to Ochsner LSU Health for treatment. Police said he remained under arrest while receiving medical care.
Investigators said the incident began when Woods allegedly approached a woman in the Dollar General parking lot, pointed a firearm at her head and demanded her vehicle. The woman was able to drive away.
Police said Woods then approached another woman who was putting groceries into her vehicle, allegedly pointed a firearm at her and demanded the vehicle. A juvenile was inside the vehicle at the time but was able to safely get out before Woods allegedly entered the vehicle and fled the parking lot.
Officers also learned that Woods had entered Pro Vape Shop and repeatedly asked an employee whether she had a vehicle or knew anyone with one. Police said the employee saw that Woods had a handgun and feared for her life.
Woods was arrested on two counts of aggravated flight from an officer, two counts of aggravated assault upon a peace officer, two counts of armed robbery, one count of carjacking, four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and reckless operation.
The Mansfield Police Department said Woods had been captured and there was no longer a threat to the public following the incident. Traffic in the affected area also returned to normal.
The allegations against Woods are accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.