State Police Traffic Stop Leads to Fugitive Arrest

A routine traffic stop on I-20 has led to the arrest of a fugitive from several law enforcement agencies.

Just after 10:30 this morning, a Louisiana State Trooper stopped a car on I-20 eastbound just west of Minden because it was raining at the time and, even though he had his wipers on, he did not have his headlights on at the same time as required by state law.  As it turned out, the car was stolen and the driver was wanted by several jurisdictions.

When the trooper tried to take 50-year-old Leonardo McClinton of Monroe into custody, he allegedly resisted arrest.  About that time, an off-duty Texas police officer stopped and used her vehicle to block the trooper from harm.  Her vehicle was subsequently hit from behind by an 18-wheeler.  Even though both vehicles were damaged, nobody was hurt.

McClinton was, eventually, taken into custody with help from the off-duty Texas police officer and other responding State Troopers.  Further investigation revealed that he was also wanted by the Shreveport Police Department and the Bienville Parish Sheriff's Office.

McClinton was taken to the Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center in Webster Parish where he was booked on charges of:  headlamps not on when required, unauthorized use of a vehicle, 3 counts of resisting arrest by force, 3 counts of battery on a police officer, driving under suspension, open alcoholic beverage container, no seatbelt, and being a fugitive from both the Shreveport Police Department and the Bienville Parish Sheriff's Office.