A burglary suspect who tried to escape capture yesterday from Bossier City and Shreveport police by jumping into the Red River now faces burglary and resisting charges.  

38-year old Bobby Charles Byrd of Minden fled from Shreveport police yesterday afternoon as they tried to stop his van in downtown Shreveport as part of an investigation into a recent string of nightclub burglaries in both Shreveport and Bossier City. Shreveport police pursued Byrd into Bossier City to the north end of Traffic Street near the Red River where Byrd jumped out of his van and ran off on foot.

Bossier City police assisted in searching for Byrd who was found within a matter of minutes in the river trying to escape. After Byrd refused to adhere to officers’ commands to return to the bank, a Shreveport K-9 and Bossier City officer attempted to take Byrd into custody. During that attempt the Shreveport K-9 officer saw that his dog and the suspect appeared to be having difficulty and were in distress at which time he got into the river to remove both of them. During that effort the Shreveport police dog bit his handler on the arm. The Bossier City officer then got into the river and took the suspect into custody.

Bossier City Fire Department personnel took the Shreveport officer to LSUHSC to be treated for what was described as a serious injury. Byrd was also transported to LSUHSC for treatment of unspecified medical issues.

Byrd remains at LSUHSC however Bossier City police have obtained a warrant for his arrest on a burglary charge. He also faces a charge of resisting. Byrd will be booked into the Bossier City Jail upon his release from the hospital.

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