“Got em!” Sheriff John Ballance said.

After an exhaustive all-night search by authorities in Bienville Parish which included the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Department, North Bienville Parish Fire District, agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wade Correctional Center Chase Team and Louisiana State Police, the manhunt is over.

Sheriff John Ballance said at 9:30 a.m. on September 17, tracking dogs led police to a mill pond on the old Woodard Walker sawmill site off Hwy 80 in Taylor.  Officers noticed small ripples coming from some brush in an otherwise calm pond.  The two suspects were hiding under the brush in the pond.  

The two suspects, one white male and one black male, surrendered and exited the water.  The black male was wearing an ankle monitor.  When asked why he was wearing an ankle monitor, the black male said he “had some issues.” 

Both suspects were barefooted.  They had lost their shoes while trying to evade capture.  One of the suspects said there was a lot of quicksand in the area. 

Deputies learned that black male was 17 years old and the white male was 15 years old.  Since they are juveniles, their names are not being released and their photos only show them from the back.   

The Ford pickup was stolen from Gautier, Mississippi, a town on the gulf coast near Biloxi.  By the quickest route, Gautier is about 5 1/2 to 6 hours from Arcadia.   

See below for previous articles pertaining to this manhunt.

• 

• 

• 

Original Article 10:43 p.m. September 15, 2021:

According to KSLA, folks in the Ada-Taylor area have been advised to stay inside as a manhunt continues for two men.

The manhunt began at about 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 15 in the western part of Bienville Parish.

A Ford Pickup occupied by two men was clocked at 99 mph on Interstate 20.

They drove west into Webster Parish when a deputy fell in behind them.

They crossed the median and doubled back into Bienville Parish.

They did the same thing a few more times then finally took the Ada-Taylor exit off I-20, went down a dirt road and drove off into a creek.

That’s when the two men, both described as being in their early 20s and one wearing all black, bailed out of the truck.

Deputies learned that the truck was stolen from Mississippi.

At one point, Sheriff John Ballance said, they got a report from someone who said two people were trying to get into their vehicle.

Law officers, a Louisiana State Police helicopter, drones and tracking dogs from Wade Correctional Center have been searching for them ever since.

Sheriff Ballance said they would be out there all night if need be because they are worried about the safety of folks who live in the area.

UPDATE 8:48 a.m. September 16, 2021:

Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Deputies searched throughout the night for two suspects who ran into the woods near Taylor following a high speed chase on Interstate 20. 

At 8:00 a.m. this morning, September 16, Sheriff John Ballance said they, “Had a sighting this morning on the railroad tracks at Taylor.”  He also said Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries agents are searching also.  “Wade [Correctional Center tracking] dogs are on the way.”  Sheriff Ballance said they have a “Drone on the way also!”

If you live in the the Ada-Taylor, use caution when going to your vehicles.  If you see anyone in the area fitting the provided description (both described as being in their early 20s and one wearing all black) do not approach them.  Report it to the Sheriff’s Office at  (318) 263-2302 or call 911.

---

To report an issue or typo with this article – CLICK HERE