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ST. ROSE — The St. Charles Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to find Michael Stevens John, a 31-year-old white male. John is a suspect in a police vehicle theft that occurred on Feb. 3.

At 5:02 a.m., St. Charles Parish deputies responded to a call of a suspicious vehicle parked behind the Pilot Gas Station in St. Rose. One subject, possibly shooting up heroin, was located inside the vehicle.

When deputies arrived on scene, the suspect attempted to drive away in his vehicle, crashing into a ditch. Deputies apprehended the suspect by detaining him in handcuffs and securing him in the rear of a deputy’s Patrol SUV. The deputy then began investigating the scene of the crash, as well as the initial drug complaint. A few minutes after securing the suspect in the patrol vehicle, the deputy observed his patrol vehicle driving away.

Deputies then initiated a pursuit with the stolen patrol SUV, traveling Eastbound on Airline Highway towards New Orleans. One of the deputies was involved in a vehicle crash at the intersection of Airline Highway and David Drive in Jefferson Parish during the pursuit. The deputy involved sustained no injuries. Two other people were taken to East Jefferson Hospital as a result of the crash with minor injuries according to Louisiana State Police. Sheriff Champagne sent his condolences to those involved in the crash.

Deputies continued pursuing the stolen police SUV into New Orleans, but lost sight of it near Xavier University.

Around 8 a.m., the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office received information that the stolen police SUV appeared to be abandoned in the 700 block of Toledano Street in New Orleans. Detectives recovered the vehicle shortly after. There were no police weapons or ballistic gear was inside of the SUV at the time it was taken.

During the course of the investigation, deputies learned that the vehicle the suspect crashed at the Pilot Gas Station was reported stolen out of New Orleans.

As of press time Tuesday, the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office was searching for John. He is described as being 5’8” tall, approximately 140 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes. Michael John has a previous address in San Pedro, California, but is believed to be currently in the New Orleans area. It was unknown whether he is still handcuffed or not. John is wanted for one count of Theft of a Motor Vehicle, one count of Theft, one count of Aggravated Flight from an Officer and one count of Aggravated Escape.

If anyone has information about this incident, they are urged to contact Detective Kevin Tennison with the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office at 985-783-1135 or 985-783-6807.

Citizens may also contact CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-877-903-STOP. Citizens do not have to give their name nor testify and could receive up to a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest.