WEST MONROE, La. — A man and two teens have been arrested after deputies say they burglarized two separate stores before leading deputies on early morning chase.
According to arrest reports, the incident started with a burglar alarm early Sunday morning at the Dollar General on La. 546. Surveillance footage shows a man entering the store after forcing the doors open but then leaving a few minutes later without taking anything.
A short while later, deputies with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call for another alarm at the Kuntry Korner store on La. 80.
Surveillance footage at the Kuntry Korner shows a man and a female teenager forcing their way into the store, taking approximately $1,500 worth of tobacco products, and then leaving the store.
When deputies arrived, a vehicle was seen leaving the store with a plastic bag covering the license plate. Deputies were able to determine the plate numbers and then found out the vehicle was reported stolen in Mississippi. When deputies tried to initiate a traffic stop near the Camp Road exit on I-20, the vehicle continued to drive and a chase that exceeded over 100 mph ensued.
The vehicle led deputies down I-20 before exiting at Well Road and then heading to New Natchitoches. The vehicle then continued onto Washington Street, Watkins Street, and Fern Street. Deputies say the vehicle then crashed at the intersection of Fern Street and Brown Street.
25-year-old Levi Harper jumped out of the vehicle and ran on foot, but was captured on Evergreen Street shortly after.
Arrest reports state that two female teenagers were in the vehicle during the incident.
Harper was booked into the Ouachita Correctional Center on the following charges:
- Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile (6 counts)
- Simple Burglary (2 counts)
- Aggravated Flight from an Officer
- Driving without a License
- Resisting an Officer
- Illegal Possession of Stolen Property
Harper is being held on a $190,650 bond.
The two juveniles are not being identified due to their age.
