Suspect leads authorities on pursuit

On January 17, 2022, Deputies with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office assisted the Eunice Police Department in
reference to a motor vehicle pursuit. During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle made its way into Evangeline Parish around
the Chatagnier area. It was at that point, the vehicle was able to evade from law enforcement within the city of Ville
Platte.
When searching the area in Ville Platte for the suspect vehicle, Deputies located the vehicle in the parking lot of St. John
Baptist Church where the pursuit continued taking law enforcement through multiple streets inside of the Ville
Platte city limits driving extremely recklessly and committing multiple traffic violations. At one point, the suspect
attempted to run over a deputy with his vehicle that was staged in the area but was unsuccessful. At some point during
the chase, one of the suspects’ vehicle’s tires broke apart and the vehicle became disabled and came to rest at the
intersection of David St. and Carl St. in Ville Platte At that point, the suspect fled the area on foot. One Deputy involved
in the pursuit was able to identify the driver as Robert Smith B/M DOB 09/14/1991.
On January 18, 2021, Detectives with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office received a complaint in reference to a motor
vehicle theft. The complainant / victim advised that she believes her vehicle was stolen by a Robert Smith. Detectives
were able to located Smith where he was interviewed and admitted to taking the victim’s vehicle. Smith was
subsequently placed under arrest by detectives and transported to the Evangeline Parish Jail where he was booked for
Aggravated Flight, Aggravated Assault of a Police Officer, Criminal Damage to Property, and Motor Vehicle Theft. He is
currently being held in the Evangeline Parish Jail with a $61,250.00 bond.

Robert Smith B/M
DOB 09/14/1991
2438 1 st . St.
Ville Platte, La.

As always, Sheriff Charles R. Guillory and the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office is always 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/s reporting information will remain anonymous.