Tom GantertOpelousas, LA – A 25-year-old man stole an unmarked police car May 12 and tried robbing two couples before one of his would-be victims killed him.
Leon Jones III stole the unmarked police car from a Motel 6 parking lot where police were investigating drug activity inside a motel room, according to KLFY.
The Acadiana Advocate reported that the vehicle was running at the time that Jones stole it.
The police officer had left the vehicle in a hurry to go into the motel room and assist other officers. Several arrests were made in the motel room and it’s not clear if Jones was involved with that incident.
That unmarked police car had a rifle and body armor inside, according to the Opelousas Police Department.
Jones drove to Port Arthur, Texas where he attempted to carjack a couple at a convenience store. The couple was able to escape, according to KLFY.
Jones then took the police rifle and approached a husband and wife who were fishing for crabs.
KFDM reported that Jones demanded money and other property from the husband and wife and fired shots at them.
The husband went to his own SUV and pulled out a handgun and exchanged shots with Jones, according to police.
Jones was found dead at the scene with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, according to KLFY.
“It was a very heroic act that man did,” said Port Arthur Police Department spokesman Detective Michael Herbert, according to KLFY.
The police car and the police officer’s weapon were recovered.