2018-10-09 21:32:34
News Release
October 9, 2018
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff, Jerry J. Larpenter, said that the suspect from a pursuit occurring on Wednesday 10-3-18, has been identified and arrested.
During the afternoon hours on Wednesday 10-3-18, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Agents were conducting patrols throughout Terrebonne Parish. Multiple Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Agents were occupying an unmarked Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office Vehicle, which was crossing the Houma Twin Span Bridges to the east side of Houma.
After crossing into the East Houma area These Narcotics Agents observed a GMC truck cutting through the parking lot of a local business at a high rate of speed. The suspect vehicle almost struck the unmarked Sheriff’s Office vehicle as it recklessly exited the parking lot onto the roadway. Upon the suspect vehicle entering the roadway, the driver continued operating this vehicle in a reckless manner. The reckless actions of the suspect nearly caused multiple crashes.
Due to the suspect vehicle having to stop in traffic, at a traffic light, The Narcotics Agents activated their emergency lights and siren to conduct a traffic stop. In attempt to elude police, the suspect fled the area in the vehicle. Narcotics Agents began pursuing this vehicle. The suspect vehicle entered a residential area in the East Houma area. Out of an abundance of caution for public safety, The Narcotics Agents disengaged the pursuit.
These narcotics Agents continued to patrol the area in search of the suspect vehicle. While the Narcotics Agents were talking to potential witnesses who were outside in the area, the suspect vehicle rounded a corner and approached the unmarked Sheriff’s Office vehicle from a head-on direction. This occurred within minutes of these agents losing sight of the suspect vehicle. At that time agents exited their vehicle to approach. They were giving verbal commands to the driver as they approached the suspect vehicle.
Upon the suspect realizing this was law enforcement, he began proceeding away from the agents in reverse. He was again operating the vehicle in a very reckless manner. Narcotics Agents activated their emergency lights and siren and followed the suspect, as it proceeded down the roadway in reverse.
This was done in attempt to draw the attention of anyone outside so they could stay clear of this reckless activity. The suspect lost control of his vehicle, crashing into a fence and a residence. At that time the unmarked Sheriff’s Office vehicle attempted to block the driver from leaving. The suspect found an avenue to get away from this residence.
The suspect in this incident drove recklessly as he departed from this residential area. He intentionally sped towards Narcotics Agents who were on foot in the area. This forced these Narcotics Agents to take evasive actions to avoid being struck.
The suspect then proceeded across the Twin Span Bridges to the west side of Houma where he was pursued by unmarked and marked Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office Vehicles. Shortly after crossing into West Houma the pursuit was canceled. Again this was done for public safety reasons.
Narcotics Agents continued to investigate this matter, and were able to positively identify the driver in this incident as Ryan James Gaspar (a 29 year old white male). It was discovered that Gaspar had an active arrest warrant for felony theft of a motor vehicle. This arrest warrant was the result of a prior Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office investigation. That stolen vehicle was previously recovered, and Gaspar was not operating the stolen vehicle at the time of this incident.
As a result of this investigation arrest warrants were obtained on Gaspar for Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Resisting an Officer, Hit and Run Driving, Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property, Aggravated Assault on An Officer, and Aggravated Flight from an Officer.
Gaspar was located in Lafourche Parish on Saturday 10-6-18. He was taken into custody and jailed at Lafourche Parish’s jail until being brought to Terrebonne Parish’s Jail on Monday 10-8-18.