Man from Beauregard Parish allegedly led police on a chase, BPSO said

BEAUREGARD PARISH, Louisiana (KPLC) – A Beauregard Parisish man is in custody after leading police officers on a chase, Beauregard Parisish Sheriff Mark Herford said.

Jonathon Mitchell was taken into custody today following the chase at Fort Johnson.

Around noon today, BPSO received a call from someone who said they saw smoke coming from a home east of DeRidder. When officers arrived, a witness said the owner of the home was not there, Herford said. While investigators searched the home to make sure no one was inside, they discovered drugs in plain sight.

Officers began serving a search warrant for the home and received word that the owner of the home, identified as Mitchell, had arrived at his parents' home on the same property, Herford said. Officers attempted to make contact with Mitchell, who was in his vehicle, but he refused to get out and speak with authorities. After several minutes of trying to get him to get out, pepper balls were fired at his car.

Mitchell drove off and led officers on a chase along several roads outside of DeRidder, Herford said. After about an hour, Mitchell reached the DeRidder city limits. The pursuit was called off out of an abundance of caution. While in DeRidder, Mitchell called 911 and said he was on his way to Fort Johnson.

A Beauregard officer followed Mitchell to Fort Johnson, Herford said. When Mitchell arrived at the gate, he was arrested without incident.

Charges have been filed against Mitchell, Herford said.

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