By Pat Culverhouse
A man wanted on fugitive warrants from the Shreveport Police Department is currently waiting in the parish prison after a failed attempt to outrun a Minden police officer on Interstate 20.
Chief of Police Jared McIver said 21-year-old Jeremiah Dejuan Buffin’s vehicle was radar measured at 92 miles per hour on I-20 around 1:50 a.m. Wednesday by Lt. Shawn Griffith who was working speed enforcement.
When the officer initiated his emergency lights, Buffin reportedly accelerated to speeds in excess of 130 miles per hour in an attempt to flee. During his flight, Buffin reportedly swerved in and out of traffic and drove his vehicle on the shoulder of the highway.
Following a brief pursuit, Buffin reportedly exited the interstate at the Hwy. 531 exit (mile marker 49) and abruptly applied his brakes at a traffic roundabout. The sudden stop caused Lt. Griffith’s patrol unit to strike Buffin’s vehicle, forcing both vehicles into a ditch.
Lt. Griffith was assisted by his K9 partner, Brahms, to ensure Buffin did not attempt to flee on foot after the vehicles were stopped.
Buffin reportedly told officers he was fleeing Shreveport due to an encounter involving a firearm. He told officers he fled when he saw the emergency blue lights due to him being “afraid.”
Charges against Buffin include aggravated flight from an officer, fugitive from Shreveport PD, speeding (92/70), no driver’s license and reckless operation. He is being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center. No bond has been set.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.