VERMILION PARISH, La. — A man is in custody after leading several police agencies on a chase with a stolen tractor.

According to Sheriff Eddie Langlinais, the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office received a report of a stolen tractor near the Woodlawn Bridge on La-82 in the Youngsville area of ​​Vermilion Parish. The tractor then traveled on Woodlawn Road to Bourque Road near La-92 where an officer from the Maurice Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop on it.

The driver of the tractor-trailer tried to chase down the Maurice police officer and fled the scene, Langlinais said. Vermilion Deputies arrived on scene and attempted to stop the tractor before the driver crossed the Vermilion Parish / Lafayette Parish line.

Louisiana State Police – Region II, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, Youngsville Police Department and Broussard Police Department were contacted for assistance in stopping the tractor. Spike strips were installed and the tractor was eventually immobilized at the intersection of Ambassador Caffery and South Morgan Avenue in Broussard.

The driver of the tractor, identified as 47-year-old Mark Ardoin, was booked into the Lafayette Parish Jail and is currently being transferred to the Vermilion Parish Correctional Center, where he will be booked on charges of theft of a motor vehicle and aggravated flight from an officer.

Sheriff Eddie Langlinais would like to thank the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Deputies, Maurice Police Department, Louisiana State Police – Region II, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, Youngsville Police Department and Broussard Police Department for their efforts in bringing this incident to a quick conclusion and safe.