Virginia Man Arrested After Pursuit with Stolen Vehicle in Slidell

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Virginia man following a chase, which occurred Friday (June 24, 2022) afternoon near Slidell. STPSP deputies attempted a traffic stop on a Mazda SUV near Powell Drive on U.S. Highway 11 in Slidell. The vehicle, which had been reported stolen out of Virginia, failed to stop and instead initiated a high-speed pursuit down North Drive across Robert Road, turning eastbound on Gause Boulevard and wrecking on Military Road near Cross Gates. During the pursuit the driver, 21 year-old Jamar Jones, intentionally rammed three Sheriff’s Office units, causing moderate to minor damage to the units.   No deputies were injured.

The Mazda was occupied by the driver and two occupants. All three were taken to an area hospital to be evaluated for injuries prior to Jones being arrested and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center on the following charges: Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property (3 counts), Simple Criminal Damage to Property (2 counts), Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Aggravated Flight from an Officer, Aggravated Obstruction of a Highway of Commerce, Reckless Operation, Improper Lane Use, Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign, Bypassing Traffic Control Device (Traffic Light), Failure to Use Turn Signals, and Driving on a Divided Highway. 

Jones was also booked on fugitive warrants out of Newport News, Va., for felony burglary, vehicle theft, failure to comply with supervised probation for robbery and two counts of abduction.

“I commend the deputies who worked this call, and I am thankful none of our deputies were hurt,” Sheriff Randy Smith said. “Let this be a message to other individuals who think they are going to come to St. Tammany and commit crimes. It will not be tolerated here.”