On January 17, 2022, Deputies with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office assisted the Eunice Police Department in reference to a motor vehicle pursuit.  During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle made its way into Evangeline Parish around the Chataignier area.  It was at that point that the vehicle was able to evade Law Enforcement within the city of Ville Platte. 

When searching the area in Ville Platte for the suspect vehicle, Deputies located the vehicle in the parking lot of St. John the Baptist Church where the pursuit continued taking law enforcement through multiple streets inside of the Ville Platte city limits, driving extremely recklessly and committing multiple traffic violations.  At one point, the suspect attempted to run over a Deputy that was staged in the area, but was unsuccessful in doing so. During the chase, one of the suspects' tires broke apart causing the vehicle to become disabled and ultimately coming to rest at the intersection of David St. and Carl St. in Ville Platte. At that point, the suspect fled the area on foot.  One Deputy involved in the pursuit was able to identify the driver as Robert Smith B/M DOB 09/14/1991.

On January 18, 2021, Detectives with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office received a complaint in reference to a motor vehicle theft.  The complainant / victim advised that she believes her vehicle was stolen by a Robert Smith.  Detectives were able to locate Smith where he was interviewed and admitted to taking the victim's vehicle.  Smith was subsequently placed under arrest by detectives and transported to the Evangeline Parish Jail where he was booked for Aggravated Flight, Aggravated Assault of a Police Officer, Criminal Damage to Property, and Motor Vehicle Theft.  He is currently being held in the Evangeline Parish Jail with a $61,250.00 bond.

Robert Smith B/M

DOB 09/14/1991

2438 1st. St.

Ville Platte, La.

As always, Sheriff Charles R. Guillory and the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office is always seeking information on criminal activity and urges the Public to contact their Investigation Department via phone at 337-363-2161 or through the agency's website at www.evangelineparishsheriff.org.  Any person(s) reporting information will remain anonymous.