Tennessee fugitive caught in Morgan City

Morgan City police captured a fugitive, who had been wanted on felony theft charges in Tennessee, after authorities located a vehicle that had been reported stolen. Police also recovered a stolen handgun and jewelry in the investigation, a news release said.

At 11:53 a.m. Wednesday, the Morgan City Police Department acted on information received from Marshall County Sheriff’s Department in Tennessee and captured a wanted fugitive, Elijah Evenson, 22, of Madison, Tennessee, the release said.

Evenson was wanted by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department on two counts of felony theft and on a Louisiana probation and parole warrant. Evenson was also arrested on charges of possession of a stolen handgun and illegal possession of a firearm in a firearm-free zone, police said.

Officers learned that the suspect was staying at a motel in Morgan City. Police responded to that location and discovered a vehicle reported stolen in the Tennessee jurisdiction. Officers learned that the suspect had left the area.

Uniformed officers canvased the area and located the fugitive near the rear of Teche Regional Medical Center. The suspect, Evenson, was detained and arrested. Officers deployed the K-9 unit in the area near the hospital and were able to recover a stolen .380-caliber handgun also from Marshall County, Tennessee, the release stated.

Morgan City police detectives responded and through the investigation were able to recover items of jewelry which had also been reported stolen by Tennessee authorities. The area where the suspect was captured was within a firearm-free area, therefore the suspect was additionally charged, police said.

Due to the immediate apprehension, no local schools were affected or placed on a lock down status, police said. The suspect, Evenson, was transported to the Morgan City Police Department and booked into jail. The investigation is continuing with the assistance of Marshall County Sheriff’s Department and additional charges may follow. Anyone with information on this or any other crime is asked to contact the Morgan City Police Department Detectives Division at 985-380-4605.