(Ouachita Parish) – On August 23, 2024, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office Patrol units responded to a carjacking on Smith Street just before 9am. The victim stated a male subject approached him and forcibly removed him from his vehicle, taking his cell phone, then drove away. OPSO Investigators later recovered the vehicle in the 200 Block of Keller Street, where video footage of the suspect was recovered.
Around 6pm on the same day, OPSO was dispatched to an address on Keller Street. A female at this address reported a male, matching the same description as the carjacking suspect, broke into her home. The suspect armed himself with weapons belonging to the resident while in the house. It is alleged, while in the house, the suspect committed a rape on two females and a battery on a male. The suspect held the victims in the house for several hours until he fled the area in one of the victim’s vehicle. The suspect also stole several weapons from the residence, taking them with him when he left.
While responding to the kidnapping, OPSO SCAT deputies observed the suspect, in the stolen vehicle, traveling on Hwy 34. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle and a pursuit ensued that ended with the suspect bailing from the vehicle at the Bawcomville Recreation Area on Kings Lake Rd.
A large search of the area began, which included OPSO Patrol Units and K-9’s, LSP Troop F and LSP Aviation Unit. The search went well into the morning until OPSO received a call from a residence in the area. The caller advised a subject, matching the description of the suspect being pursued, was breaking into his residence. OPSO Patrol and Investigators responded to the scene, setting up a perimeter. An OPSO K-9 was deployed and the suspect was apprehended in the woods behind the residence.
The three victims from Keller Street were treated at a local hospital.
The suspect is identified as Rodney L. Sims, DOB 12/24/72, 715 Bryant Street, Monroe, LA
Sims was booked on the following charges:
Two Counts of Second Degree Battery
One Count of Home Invasion
Two Counts of Simple Battery
Seven Counts of First-Degree Rape
Two Counts of Second-Degree Kidnapping
Two Counts of Aggravated Kidnapping
One Count of Aggravated Burglary
One Count of Theft of Motor Vehicle
One Count of Theft, Use of Card
One Count of Resisting by False Identification