Luling man still sought after LaPlace hit-and-run

Published 12:00 am Monday, December 6, 2004

By VICKIE JAMBON

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – A Luling man recently led authorities on a high-speed chase into St. James Parish to avoid arrest for an alleged hit-and run accident in the Wal-Mart parking lot, in LaPlace. The runaway van turned out to be a stolen vehicle from St. Charles Parish.

According to authorities with the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, a white van backed into another vehicle in the Wal-Mart parking lot Sunday, Nov. 28 at 11:18 a.m. The van immediately fled the accident with a broken right, rear, tail light lens.

A Wal-Mart security guard reported the incident and the van was later spotted driving westbound on LA 44, near West 19th Street, said authorities.

Following the van, the patrol unit officer purportedly noticed the white vehicle had a broken right, rear, tail light lens.

When the deputy called headquarters with the license number of the van, he was told by authorities the vehicle was stolen from St. Charles Parish.

Authorities said the deputy turned the patrol unit’s siren and top lights on, while attempting to pull the stolen vehicle over. The van refused to stop.

Disregarding traffic signals and signs, authorities said the van sped into St. James Parish, traveling westbound on LA 44.

Racing through a residential neighborhood, the van allegedly stopped when it came to a dead-end street.

Two women got out of the vehicle and fled, while the driver maneuvered backwards to skirt by the officer’s patrol unit. The van hit the patrol unit several times before managing to squeeze through and driving on, said authorities. The vehicle then sped down two additional avenues before finally coming to a complete stop on another dead-end street.

According to authorities, the driver jumped out of the vehicle and began running. The officer chased the driver on foot, but was unable to locate the man.

Authorities said, the two women were taken into custody by officers from the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office. They were booked as fugitives and transferred to the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s office.

Arrested were Ralaundra G. Louper, 19, of 2239-1 Project Drive, Vacherie; and Beeocka S. Braxton, 18, of 126 Apartment A, Project Drive, Vacherie.

Both women were charged with resisting an officer by flight, accessory to possession of stolen property over $500 and accessory to a hit and run.

Authorities said the women identified the driver of the van as allegedly being Travis T. Jupiter, 19, of 302 Paul Frederick St., Luling. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

The stolen 1994 Dodge Caravan will be held in storage until the owner is notified.