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An unmarked Opelousas Police unit was stolen from a hotel yesterday, and was recovered in Texas after the suspect was shot while allegedly trying to steal another car.
Opelousas Police tell KATC that, during an undercover narcotics operation at a Motel 6 in Opelousas, a man came out of a nearby room stole the vehicle, which contained the officers street rilfe, an AR15, as well as his body armor, badge and other equipment.
It is not unusual for officers to leave their vehicles running when they arrive at a scene, police tell us.
Local and state law enforcement were notified, and it was spotted about 20 minutes later on I-10 near Rayne. That evening, Port Arthur Police called to tell Opelousas officers that the vehicle had been recovered after a shooting.
The suspect allegedly drove to Pleasure Island, where he tried to rob a story using the AR15, then drove down the road and tried to another victim, still using the rifle, but that intended victim pulled out a gun and shot the suspect.
We’ve reached out to Port Arthur Police, but the shooting happened at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Port Arthur, 12News reports. Police were called to an attempted armed robbery at the Island Grocery on Pleasure Island, and when they got there were sent to another location on the island where a couple who were crabbing had been confronted by a man with a rifle who allegedly tried to steal their car, the station reports.
The intended victim went to his car to get money, grabbed his handgun, and the intended victim and alleged robber got into a shotout, the station reports. The suspect was shot several times and died at the scene. The woman was treated for minor injuries she sustained during the shoot-out, the station reports.
Opelousas Police tell us that the officer’s rifle, body armor, badge and other requipment were all recovered.