Man accused of leading police on a stolen tractor chase

VERMILION PARISH, La. – A man is in custody after leading multiple police agencies on a chase for a stolen tractor.

According to Sheriff Eddie Langlinais, the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office received a report of a stolen tractor near the Woodlawn Bridge on La-82 in the Youngsville area within Vermilion Parish. The tractor then traveled along Woodlawn Road to Bourque Road, near La-92, where an officer with the Maurice Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop.

The driver of the tractor tried to run the Maurice police officer off the road and fled the scene, Langlinais said. Vermilion deputies arrived on scene and attempted to stop the tractor before the driver crossed the Vermilion Parish/Lafayette Parish line.

Louisiana State Police – Region II, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, Youngsville Police Department and Broussard Police Department were all contacted for assistance in stopping the tractor. Spike strips were deployed and the tractor was eventually immobilized at the intersection of Ambassador Caffery and South Morgan Avenue in Broussard.

The driver of the tractor, identified as Mark Ardoin, 47, has been booked into the Lafayette Parish Jail and is currently being transferred to the Vermilion Parish Correctional Center where he will be arrested on charges of theft of a motor vehicle and aggravated fleeing from an officer .

Sheriff Eddie Langlinais would like to thank the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Deputies, Maurice Police Department, Louisiana State Police – Region II, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, Youngsville Police Department and the Broussard Police Department for their efforts in bringing this incident to a swift and safe conclusion .