“I want to thank all my supporters that helped me while I was out there. I love y’all”- Theobegi Levier.
Theobegi Levier, the most wanted man in St. Landry Parish, is back in custody as of Wednesday night. Levier eluded capture for 18 days, after escaping from the backseat of a moving Opelousas City Marshals’ vehicle on February 9th. Opelousas marshals kept the search for Levier local, according to City Marshal Paul Mouton.
“He was hot and he didn’t want to be seen on the streets,” said Mouton. “So, we were pretty confident that he was going to stay around here.”
Over 100 man hours went into the search for Levier, with marshals staking out homes for 6 hours a night. Finally, a tip about a stolen truck, led the search to Ville Platte.
“Ville Plate Marshall Horace Johnson found out the truck was parked at a home on North Reed Street,” said Mouton. “We believed he stole that truck. So, Horace and some of my deputies went over to the home, knocked on the back door and he (Levier) answered the door. We were able to take him in at gun point.”
Levier was originally wanted for attempted first degree murder and attempted robbery. Marshals retrieved Levier from a residence on Wayne Street in Eunice. On their way to Opelousas City Jail, Levier maneuvered his handcuffs under his behind, around his legs, freeing himself to roll down the window and unlock the door. He jumped from the moving vehicle and disappeared.
Levier now faces additional charges of simple escape, vehicular burglary and probation violation.
On his way to booking, Levier told News Ten’s Hope Ford, “I want to thank all my supporters that helped me while I was out there. I love y’all.”
Marshals are now investigating anyone who may have helped him escape, and help elude police for almost three weeks.
“There is the possibility of more arrests for anyone who harbored a fugitive,” said Mouton.
Levier was transferred by Eunice City Marshals a few hours after he was captured. As promised after he originally out-ran deputies, he was shackled at his hands and feet.
