A man accused of shoplifting from Dick’s Sporting Goods led Slidell Police on a multi-city vehicle pursuit Monday (October 13, 2025) evening before being taken into custody.
Shortly after 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 13, 2025, Slidell Police officers responded to Dick’s Sporting Goods regarding a reported shoplifting in-progress. As officers arrived in the area, they were advised that the suspect had fled the store and entered a white Nissan Altima. Officers quickly located the vehicle as it sped recklessly through the parking lot. Upon seeing marked police units, the driver immediately fled. The suspect led officers on a lengthy pursuit through various areas of Slidell, into New Orleans East, and back toward Slidell via Interstate 10 and Interstate 12. During the chase, the suspect was observed throwing several items out of the vehicle along the interstate.
Unfamiliar with the area, the suspect exited I-12 onto Airport Road and drove toward the Slidell Municipal Airport, where he struck a chain-link fence after reaching a dead end. Despite the impact, he continued attempting to flee. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies, who assisted with the chase, successfully deployed spike strips which deflated the suspect vehicle’s front tires. Trooper's with the Louisiana State Police deployed a second set of stop sticks, which prompted the suspect to stop and surrender. The driver, identified as 51-year-old Shawn LeBlanc of Houma, was taken into custody without further incident.
Officers later recovered the items discarded along the interstate, which were determined to be stolen merchandise from Dick’s Sporting Goods. Also recovered was a device designed to defeat security sensors on retail products.
LeBlanc is believed to be connected to a series of shoplifting incidents across Louisiana and Mississippi, primarily targeting high-end sporting equipment from various retailers.
LeBlanc was booked into the Slidell City Jail on the charges of Aggravated Flight from an Officer, Aggravated Obstruction of a Highway of Commerce, Hit and Run, Theft by Shoplifting, and Possession of Burglary Tools
This investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges are possible.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
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