Search launched after suspect flees from traffic stop

VIDALIA, La. (KNOE) – A traffic stop in Concordia Parish turned into a multi-agency investigation on Thursday, November 7.

According to the Vidalia Police Department (VPD), Police Lt. Clarence Hall Sr. stopped. a vehicle on Martin L. King Avenue around 3:32 p.m. when he noticed the license plate was expired.

VPD said when the driver came to a stop, the front seat passenger got out of the vehicle and ran into the woods.

Officer Dartavious Bethley and Lt. Del’Marcus Johnson searched the area for the runaway suspect but were unable to locate him.

The driver, Jon Dale Adams Jr. of Natchez, and the backseat passenger, Victor Curry of Vidalia, were both detained and later arrested after officers recovered approximately 2.9 grams of methamphetamine and two suboxone strips from the vehicle.

Adams was issued traffic tickets for having an expired license plate, an expired motor vehicle inspection sticker, no insurance and driving under suspension. He was also charged with possession of Schedule II and possession of Schedule IV.

Curry was arrested for possession of Schedule II and possession of Schedule IV.

The car was towed away because it was not insured.

As officers were completing the traffic stop, they received a report of a man in boxing trunks walking along Logan Sewell Road.

When officers arrived on scene, the man eluded police by running through the city of Vidalia’s sewage treatment area toward Westside Drive.

Around 7:06 p.m., the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call about a stolen pickup from a home on Westside Drive.

VPD said the truck was tracked to Natchez and located along Maplewood Drive by Natchez police.

With the assistance of Natchez Police and Adams County Sheriff’s deputies, the stolen vehicle was returned undamaged to its owner.

At this time the male suspect has not been found.

Sam King, lead investigator for the Vidalia Police Department, said this is an ongoing investigation.

“We strongly suspect that the fleeing criminal from our traffic stop is responsible for stealing the vehicle,” King said. “We are working closely with all agencies to identify this subject and issue the necessary arrest warrants.”

Anyone with information can contact the Vidalia Police Department at (318) 336-5254 or the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office at (318) 336-5231.

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