Lafayette man allegedly leads police on chase with unrestrained toddler in stolen car

CHURCH POINT, La. (KLFY) — A Lafayette man was arrested after leading Church Point police on a chase in an allegedly stolen car with an unrestrained toddler in the front seat, authorities said.

Tyrik Nikeo Duplechain, 25, of Lafayette, is charged with the following:

• Aggravated flight from an officer
• Illegal possession of a stolen vehicle
• Cruelty to a juvenile by child endangerment
• Possession of marijuana
• Reckless operation of a motor vehicle
• Disobeying a stop sign
• No child restraint
• No seat belt
• Driving under suspension
• Speeding (34 in a 25 mph speed zone)

Church Point Police said an officer attempted to pull a car over on Monday for a traffic violation. The driver refused to stop and led officers on a chase in Church Point in the East Plaquemine Street area.

Police said the driver turned into a field and hit a drainage ditch. When the driver was taken into custody, officers said they saw a 2-year-old child in the front seat with no seat belt or child restraint. They also allegedly found 3.2 ounces of marijuana in the vehicle.

The vehicle, a black Audi with Texas plates, came back as stolen from Houston, Texas, authorities said.

Duplechain was booked into the Church Point Police Department and later transferred to the Acadia Parish Jail. He is being held on $57,500 bond.

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