On February 27, 2024, Detectives with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office received information on the location of two felon fugitives, Tylan Thomas and Jaylen Thomas. Tylan Thomas was wanted for 2 counts of attempted first degree murder, 1 count of illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, and , and one count of illegal possession of stolen things due to a four-wheeler that was stolen in Evangeline Parish and sold on social media.  Jaylon Thomas was wanted for 2 counts of attempted first degree murder, 1 count of illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities and 1 count of accessory after the fact of second-degree murder.

The information given, was that both subjects were inside a silver Chevy Impala which was parked at a residence on the 700 block of MLK Dr. in Ville Platte. The Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office drone was then deployed to the vehicle location and the vehicle was seen leaving this residence by the drone operating Detective. The drone was able to follow the vehicle to the 700 block of Court St. where the vehicle parked again with the two suspects inside.

The drone operator was then able to give a precise location to the officers on the ground. Evangeline Parish Deputies, City Police, and City Marshalls immediately went to this location and was able to apprehend Jaylon Thomas without incident while Tylan Thomas fled on foot but was also apprehended a short time later hiding under a residence on the 200 block of W. Hickory St.

After the arrest was made, Detectives with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office obtained a search warrant for the vehicle that the fugitives were occupying.  During the search, Detectives located an AR-15 style rifle, a 9mm handgun, and illegal narcotics inside the vehicle.  This investigation is still ongoing and more charges will be added.

As always, Sheriff Charles R. Guillory and the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office is 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 reporting information will remain anonymous. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.