On Thursday, February 10, 2022, LaSalle Parish Deputies responded to Dewey Wills Wildlife Managemen Area off of LA Highway 28, in reference to a theft of oil well pumping unit parts.

 

An employee of the oil company observed a silver GMC pulling a utility trailer loaded with the pumping rods, along with other metal items. Deputies arrived on scene at the Diversion Canal Road and observed the GMC traveling at a high rate of speed. A deputy activated his emergency lights and siren as the driver of the GMC refused to stop. As the pursuit approached the intersection of the Diversion Canal levee and LA Highway 28, the GMC began to slow down, and came to a stop. The driver, identified as Sidney Keith Willis, Jr., 39 of Centerpoint, exited the truck and complied, while the passenger, identified as Darryl McNeely, 56, of Pineville, exited and began running West on Highway 28. After a short pursuit, McNeely was placed under arrest.

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The oil company employee identified items on the utility trailer and bed of the GMC truck as being from the site of the oil well location. A search of the truck revealed two spoons on the dash containing suspected methamphetamine. 

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Sidney Keith Willis, Jr, was booked on charges of criminal trespass, theft less than $1,000, simple flight from an officer, switched plates, no insurance, possession of CDS II methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a fugitive of Rapides Parish.

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Darryl McNeely was booked on charges of criminal trespass, theft less than $1,000, simple flight from an officer, possession of CDS II methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and fugitive of Rapides Parish. 

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Press time: 2/18/2022 17:00