Staff Report
A Eunice fugitive who had eluded capture several times was found in hollowed out couch in Patton Street residence in Eunice, according to St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz.
James Neal Rozas Jr., 28, was wanted for vehicle theft in Acadia Parish and by the St. Landry Sheriff’s Office for resisting an officer, simple escape, violation of protective order, Guidroz said in a news release.
At tip on Rozas’ location was received at the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office following a Crime Stoppers segment on him, Guidroz said.
Sheriff’s and Eunice City Marshal deputies, and a sheriff’s K-9 unit, arrived at the residence in the 200 block of Patton Street in Eunice on Friday, he said.
During the search, an uncovered trap door in a closet that Rozas had cut was discovered, he said. The door allowed Rozas to escape on other occasions, he said.
Officer continued the search and found him in a hollowed out couch, he said.
Three firearms that were stolen in Acadia Parish were recovered in the search, he said.
Rozas is a convicted felon and was charged with illegal possession of stolen firearms, and possession of a firearm by a person convicted felon.
Rozas also is charged with resisting an officer, simple escape and violation of protective order.
No bail had been set as of the news release Wednesday morning.