According to Winnfield Police Department officials, a vehicle was reported stolen from a residence on Dale Street during the night of July 11.  The report was on a 2021 Buick Envision with an estimated value of $25,000.  The victim reported leaving her purse and keys in her car when she parked around 9 pm.  The vehicle was missing by 10:30 pm.  

While officers were patrolling the surrounding areas, a vehicle was found parked at the Recreation Center.  The license plate indicated it came from Arkansas.  The owner was contacted and it was then reported as stolen from a repair shop in the Hot Springs area.  Arkansas officials were notified of this.

The Winnfield dispatcher on duty entered the missing Winnfield vehicle into the LLETS database and NCIC.  This triggered the Louisiana State Police to request assistance from the Louisiana State Analytical and Fusion Exchange (LA-SAFE).  The fusion center is a “collaborated effect of many agencies that provide resources, expertise, and information with the goal of maximizing the ability to detect, prevent, apprehend, and report criminal and terrorist activity.” (LA-SAFE website).

On July 12 the stolen vehicle pinged on a License Plate Reader (LPR) in Milton, Florida, east of Pensacola.  Later information received by LA-SAFE that 2 subject were using the victim’s cash app/credit card in New Syrma Beach, FL which is located on the eastern side next to Daytona Beach.

On July 13 the vehicle was located by a deputy with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Department in Port Orange.  The vehicle was recovered and 2 suspects taken into custody.  The suspects were identified as Clayton Pittman, age 23, of Glenwood Pike, Arkansas and a 17-year-old runaway from Indiana.

Both suspects are incarcerated in Florida on their charges.  Warrants have been issued here for Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of Stolen Things over $5000, and the added charge of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile for Pittman.  Once the charges in Florida are adjudicated and they are through with them, extradition back to Winnfield will be initiated.  The victim’s insurance company is making arrangements to return her vehicle to her.