A Thibodaux man is facing multiple charges for leading police on a chase apparently because he wanted to "play," according to Thibodaux Police.
Daronte Mathews, 18, was arrested for aggravated flight from an officer, illegal possession of a stolen firearm, two counts of resisting an officer and no driver's license.
Friday around 1 a.m., Mathews refused to dim his headlights of the Dodge Intrepid he was driving, after a Thibodaux police officer has signaled him to do so, according to police.
Mathews was pulled over at the intersection of West 1st and Jackson Street, but sped away as officers approached the car.
"A pursuit ensued with Mathews’ vehicle reaching speeds of 55 mph in a 25 mph neighborhood. Officers monitored the roadways during the pursuit and continued pursuit because no vehicles were seen on the roadway at the time," said a statement from police.
His vehicle was eventually stoppers in the 1000 Block of People Street. Mathews, however, refused to get out and resisted arrest. When he was eventually removed from the car, officers found a Glock 22 .40 semi-automatic handgun on the floorboard. The gun was reported stolen from Lockport in February.
Mathews told the officers that he fled from them because he wanted to “play.”
