Webster Deputy Thomas and K-9 Molly nail bad guys

Although Dustin J. Blake, 18, of Pilgrims Rest Road in Doyline is in jail, charged with resisting an officer by flight and possession of a CDS Schedule I (marijuana), he, along with Hollis Styles, also living in the Bar Hotel, gave deputies a run for their money prior to being arrested.

   It all started  the day before the Thanksgiving  holiday, when Webster Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to a shots fired call on Goodwill Road that gave way to a late-night flight.

   Upon arrival, Dep. Joel Thomas and K-9 Mollie spoke with several of the occupants at the Goodwill Road residence, none of whom acknowledged that any shots were ever fired.      Thomas, however, said shell casings were observed in plain view in a common room of the house.

    While trying to obtain identification of the individuals on scene, Hollis Styles, was taken into custody for public intimidation and placed in a patrol car. Meanwhile, Blake fled the home into the nearby woods.  “While we worked to gain control of the situation to sort out what was going on, the detained suspect managed to break free from the patrol unit and flee into the woods, cuffed,” said Thomas.

   Deputies completed a search of the residence which turned up a SKS rifle belonging to Styles, bullets, and suspected marijuana.  Efforts were then turned toward searching for the escapee.  With no luck locating him that night, summonses for possession of a CDS Schedule I (marijuana) were issued to the remaining occupants in the home, Sammy Cupples, Lisa Styles and Rebecca Marshall.

   Later the same night, deputies were called back to the scene to retrieve Blake, who had fled the home initially.  Upon arrival, Blake yet again took to the woods. 

   But this time, Thomas came prepared. He brought his partner, K-9 Mollie. 

  “Mollie tracked him down in the woods very easily,” Thomas said.  “She made it much easier for us to detain him quickly.”

   Blake was taken into custody and transported for booking to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.

    In follow up to this incident, Dep. Thomas paid a Monday morning visit, arrest warrants in hand, to the workplace of Styles. 

         “He was not happy to see me,” said Thomas. 

        “But he had made big trouble for himself by running.”  

        Styles, who has a prior felony conviction, Monday was booked on charges for felony possession of a firearm, illegal carrying of a firearm, illegal use of a firearm, resisting an officer by flight, public intimidation, simple escape, disturbing the peace/intoxication, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a CDS Schedule I (marijuana.) 

    He was transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center where he is held on bonds totaling $80,000.00.

    “It never ceases to amaze me, the crazy decisions some folks will make when they’ve messed up,” said Webster Parish Sheriff Gary Sexton.  “I just hope his holiday turkey was worth it; because he only dug himself a bigger hole pulling the stunt he did.  As for this office, I’m just very thankful that no one was hurt.”