A police chase that began in St. Tammany Parish ended near downtown Franklinton Wednesday night, resulting in the arrest of two Washington Parish men.

Bobby Dillon Jr., 29, of Franklinton and Antonio Handy, 25, of Mount Hermon were arrested after fleeing police in a stolen vehicle at speeds faster than 90 mph, according to  press release from the Franklinton Police Department.

“Louisiana State Police Trooper Dan Manning observed a 2008 Ford pick-up traveling at a high rate of speed, northbound on Louisiana Highway 25 near Million Dollar Road near Covington,” according to the press release. “Trooper Manning initiated his emergency lights in an attempt to stop the vehicle for speeding and the driver fled.  The trooper was able to determine the suspect vehicle was stolen from McComb, Miss.”

A stolen Ford F-250 is shown after the vehilce ran over a spike strip and was stopped by police in Franklinton Wednesday night. COURTESY PHOTO Advertisement

Franklinton Police officers and deputies from the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office set up a roadblock at the intersection of Highway 25 and Louisiana Highway 16 near Franklinton.

“FPD Cpl. Daniel Norsworthy deployed a set of spike strips which were run over by the suspect vehicle,” according to the press release. “As the vehicle crossed the Chess Richardson Bridge into Franklinton, both front tires had been flattened and the driver continued driving on the vehicles rims.  The suspect vehicle came to a rest on Washington Street in front of Market Max gas station.  Two suspects were taken into custody without further incident.”

Dillon, the driver of the stolen Ford F-250, was charged with numerous speeding violations, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, aggravated flight from an officer, disregarding a red light, possession of stolen property over $500 and driving under suspension.

Handy was charged with possession of stolen property over $500.

Stemming from another case, FPD charged Dillon for an outstanding warrant regarding theft over $500 for stealing a $5,000 FEMA check and cashing it in Franklinton.  Law Enforcement officers in McComb, Miss., also have outstanding warrants for theft of the vehicle.

The pursuit was a textbook case which highlighted cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the utilization of pursuit disabling techniques, said FPD Lt. Justin Brown. 

He said the spike strips greatly reduced the risks to the public as well as the suspects involved in the pursuit.