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Crowley man charged after stealing deputy’s car in escape
A Crowley man who was arrested in June in connection with a carjacking and officer-involved shooting now faces additional charges after authorities say he attempted to escape custody during a hospital transport.
Dusty Johnson, 35, was originally arrested in connection with an early June incident in which he is accused of carjacking a vehicle in Eunice and leading law enforcement on a multi-parish pursuit that ended in Crowley. He was charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, armed robbery, carjacking, simple arson, two counts of hit-and-run driving, simple criminal damage to property, attempted aggravated kidnapping, aggravated flight from an officer and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Authorities said Johnson remained in custody until he required medical attention and was transported from jail to a hospital on Sunday.
According to police, during that transport Johnson allegedly overpowered a deputy, stole the car, and attempted to flee. Lafayette Police later located and recaptured him at a house on South Orange Street, where he had broken into a home.
Johnson was booked on additional charges stemming from the Sunday incident, including aggravated battery on a police officer, home invasion, carjacking, aggravated flight from an officer, aggravated escape and simple escape, according to Lafayette Police.
Authorities said Johnson’s original June case stems from Johnson allegedly carjacking a vehicle in Eunice, where they say he drove the vehicle to a home and threatened a homeowner with a firearm, attempted to kidnap the victim and stole a 2019 GMC Sierra pickup truck.
Investigators said Johnson later went to a gas station and fired shots at a person in the parking lot, striking the victim’s vehicle. He then returned to the Eunice residence, crashed into a vehicle parked in the driveway and intentionally set a Chevrolet Trax on fire, according to Louisiana State Police.
When Eunice police officers responded, Johnson allegedly opened fire on officers. Officers returned fire, striking Johnson before he fled in the stolen pickup truck, authorities said.
Johnson remains held on a $275,000 bond, according to arrest records. Officials said additional charges related to the escape attempt may be filed in St. Landry Parish.