By Pat Culverhouse

Local law enforcement officers have many crime solving tools at their disposal, but one special officer needed only her nose to track down a Haughton man attempting to flee a simple traffic stop.

Minden Chief of Police Jared McIver said K9 Officer Reef helped end an hours-long manhunt last week when she successfully tracked 31-year-old Jarred Craft through wooded areas in and around Dixie Inn. Reef reportedly led officers to a Dixie Inn location where Craft was taken into custody.

McIver said the manhunt began when Craft reportedly fled  on foot after he was pulled over on the morning of Friday, Sept. 11 by MPD Officer Daveon Benjamin for traffic violations while traveling east on Interstate 20.

Craft reportedly crossed both lanes of traffic on the interstate, entering a wooded area. While searching for their suspect, MPD officers and Webster Parish Sheriff’s deputies were informed a caller in Dixie Inn reported an attempted break-in at a residence.

A description of the suspect of the attempted break-in matched that of Craft.

MPD Officer Kendale Booker and Reef were called to the scene where the K9 picked up the scent. Reef reportedly tracked the suspect through a heavily wooded and brush-covered area and returned to a nearby residence where Craft was taken into custody by WPSO deputies.

Craft was booked on charges of reckless operation, expired registration, no proof of insurance and resisting an officer. No charges reportedly have been filed in connection with the incident at the Dixie Inn residence.

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.

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