CARTHAGE, Texas — A suspect in a reported kidnapping originating in Carthage, Texas, was captured Friday morning in Louisiana after crashing a vehicle, Panola County authorities confirmed. The victim was located safely hours later in Shreveport.
The investigation began just after 5 a.m. when Panola County Dispatch received a 911 call in which a woman could be heard yelling for help before the call disconnected. When dispatchers called back, a male answered and stated he was taking the woman to Louisiana, authorities said.
About 6:30 a.m., Panola County deputies, investigators, a Texas State Trooper and emergency medical services responded to a one-vehicle crash on CR 3031 off the loop in Texas. The sole occupant of the vehicle was identified as the suspect in the earlier 911 call.
The suspect, who has not been named, told deputies he had dropped the victim off outside a business in Shreveport. The suspect was hospitalized for injuries sustained in the crash and the case remains under investigation.
The victim was successfully located at a Shreveport residence shortly after 10 a.m. and is currently getting medical treatment. Investigators determined the initial disturbance occurred at an apartment complex within the city of Carthage.
Multiple agencies assisted in the case, including the Panola County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety—Highway Patrol and Texas Rangers, Carthage Police Department, Shreveport Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office.