Zwolle man arrested after pursuit through Vernon
Published 8:44 pm Saturday, December 11, 2021
A Zwolle man was arrested just outside of Leesville last week after leading Sabine Parish deputies on a high-speed pursuit across parish lines and into Vernon Parish, according to authorities.
Tristen Dupuis, 22, is facing charges of reckless operation of a vehicle, illegal possession of stolen goods, criminal damage to property, aggravated assault, and one count of hit and run driving. He will also face charges in Sabine Parish for theft of an automobile.
Sheriff Sam Craft said that at approximately 6 p.m. Thursday his office received a call from the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office regarding a vehicle pursuit that was heading into Vernon Parish.
Sabine Parish authorities reported that Dupuis had stolen a light colored SUV and that he was traveling south on US Highway 171.
VPSO deputies and Louisiana State Police troopers traveled to the Hornbeck area where they observed Dupuis driving the vehicle at a high rate of speed and they joined in the pursuit.
Dupuis allegedly entered the exit side of the parking lot of a Dollar General store in Hornbeck where he struck a pickup truck that was exiting the parking lot.
Without stopping, Dupuis then reentered Highway 171 and continued southbound as deputies reported the vehicle weaving in and out of traffic at a high rate of speed.
Dupuis attempted to lose deputies by turning onto Highway 111 East and then on to Cold Springs Loop, but he was located by Leesville PD officers a short time later on Highway 28, and deputies continued to document his reckless driving as he reached speeds nearing 120 mph.
The lengthy and dangerous pursuit ultimately ended in the area of Laurel Hill Road when Dupuis drove the stolen vehicle through a locked gate at the High Hopes Hunting Club, across from the Laurel Hill Baptist Church.
Dupuis fled from the vehicle on foot and entered a densely wooded area, leading to a social media alert issued by Sheriff Craft alerting nearby residents of the situation.
Sheriff Craft described the search as “meticulous” and said that the successful operation resulted in Dupuis’ arrest at approximately 6:55 a.m. Friday morning after he was found hiding in the wood line by a lease road.
“(Dupuis) was wet and had lost his shoes at some point during the night, but he was uninjured,” Craft stated.
“I am very proud of all the VPSO deputies who worked throughout the night to apprehend Dupuis and to ensure the safety of our citizens.”
Dupuis was transported to the VPSO jail with no bond set.