Thibodaux man arrested, charged in vehicle theft

A Thibodaux man was arrested early Sunday after he crashed a stolen vehicle into a tree, a Thibodaux Police spokeswoman said.

Det. Laura Guise said police received a 911 call around 1:30 a.m. from a man saying his red, 1999 Grand Prix had been stolen. The man told police he had been working on the vehicle, and had left it running unattended as he stepped inside his home. While he was inside the house, the man heard someone in his car, Guise said. When he stepped outside, he spotted an unidentified man driving away from the North 13th Street residence toward Lafourche Drive, she said.

Based on the description given over the police radio, officers spotted the car traveling on La. 308 west of the Thibodaux city limits, Guise said.

State Police and Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office were notified of the vehicle’s direction, she said. Shortly afterward, Assumption deputies reported they were in pursuit of a man driving a red Grand Prix, the spokeswoman said.

Jeffery Ricard, 41, of North 13th St., was driving the stolen car on La. 308 south of Napoleonville when he lost control of the vehicle, left the roadway and struck a tree, Guise said.

The Thibodaux man had to be extricated from the Grand Prix. He was transported to a local medical facility for evaluation and, later, to the Thibodaux Regional Medical Center for treatment for injuries he received from the crash, Guise said. Ricard was released into the custody of the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office, she said.

Guise said Thibodaux Police will arrest Ricard on a warrant for one count of theft, which carries a bond of $25,0000.