A manhunt that led Slidell police into New Orleans East is on hold, and two officers and a K-9 are recovering from hornet stings they suffered while chasing a suspect who stole a truck.
According to Slidell Police Department officials, they called off that search at dusk. Officials did not say if they would resume their search for the suspect on Tuesday.
Police say that search began after someone called 911 to report a stolen pickup truck. The victim told dispatchers that he went inside a gym to take care of some paperwork. That’s when he said he heard his truck’s ignition start and saw the thief speed away.
An officer on patrol spotted the truck near Interstate 10 and tried to stop the driver. The driver led the officer on a chase into Orleans Parish. That pursuit ended when the suspect crashed the truck near the Michoud Boulevard exit. Police say the truck burst into flames upon impact, but they say the suspect got out of the vehicle and ran across the interstate before fleeing into the woods.
During the chase, two officers and a K9 were attacked by hundreds of hornets while they were searching a marshy area in the woods.
The human officers have been treated and released from an area hospital. The K9 was also treated and released, but his handlers are closely monitoring him for any allergic reactions to the stings.
The suspect remains at large. If you know anything about this case, call the Slidell Police Department at 985-643-3131 or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.