A massive search occurred in Franklinton Tuesday evening of this week, resulting in the apprehension of a fugitive.
The search was conducted with the cooperation of the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Franklinton Polcie Department, and a dog team from Rayburn Correctional Center.
The incident started with a vehicle accident on Highway 38 in the rural parish shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday..A driver identified as Brent Crain, age 40, ran off the road and damaged several power poles. In addition, Crain suffered minor injuries.
Due to his injuries, Crain was transported by Northshore EMS to the Riverside Medical Center emergency room.
Prior to Crain being taken to the hospital, a deputy learned that there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Crain was made aware of this and was arrested at the scene of the accident, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Crain had ben placed in handcuffs but the handcuffs were removed for him to get medical attention. Without the handcufffs, Crain managed to flee from the hospital. A WPSO deputy chased Crain as the man fled across Main Street toward the East Acres area.
The deputy reported the escape on his radio and the Franklinton Police Department overheard the radio call. Franklinton police officers and WPSO deputies established a perimeter as the search centered on East Acres.
A dog team from Rayburn Correctional Center was called in to help.
After almost five hours of searching, Crain was arrested by Franklinton Police Officer D’Andre Brock.
Brock was getting gas at the Fair City Chevron Station on Washington Street across from the John Deere tractor dealership when he spotted Crain walking alongside Bickham Street next to the Chevron Station. It is believed that Crain likely used a drainage ditch to get through East Acres to Bickham Street.
Crain crossed Washington Street and went up TW Barker Drive.
Brock confronted Crain on TW Barker Drive near the Magee Trailer Park. Crain tried to flee so Brock had to wrestle him to the ground before placing him under arrest.
Upon being booked at the Washington Parish Jail, Crain was charged with:
- No insurance
- Reckless operation of a motor vehicle
- Criminal damage to property
- Resisting an officer (flight on foot)
- Fugitive from another jurisdiction
- Probation Violation
- Criminal Trespass
After Crain was booked, it was noted that this is his 12th stay in the jail. He had previously been in the jail on various charges 11 times between 2007 and 2020.
