On May 8, 2020 at approximately 1900 hrs. Officers of Turkey Creek Police Department were involved in a high speed pursuit with a maroon Chevrolet Pickup operated by Triston Vidrine of Ville Platte. Officers attempted a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 167, by initiating emergency lights and sirens, but Vidrine made a U-turn and began traveling at a high rate of speed, almost colliding with officers and refused to stop. The pursuit was called off due to the speed and safety of the community after reaching the Lake Cove area.
A search for the vehicle continued, with assistance of Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Department Deputy Aaron Clark.
The vehicle was later located in a heavily wooded area off of Lake Cove Road, and could not be towed at that time.
Contact was made, the next morning, with Car Care Towing, who responded to the call and used a tractor to extract the vehicle.
A warrant for the arrest of Triston Vidrine was issued by 13th Judicial District Court for Aggravated Flight from an Officer and several traffic violations. Vidrine is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Turkey Creek Police Chief Shawn Eckhart would like to stress to the public, if you know of Vidrine's whereabouts, contact 337-363-3345. Vidrine is believed to be in the vicinity of Lake Cove Road. All callers will remain anonymous.
Chief Eckhart would also like to commend Officers Chris Lemaire and Jamie Doucet for recognizing the dangers and ending the pursuit when entering the Lake Cove area, where children were at play. He would also like to thank Deputy Clark and Sgt. Carrier, with Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Department, for their assistance outside the jurisdiction of Turkey Creek.