(WVUE/FOX 8) Jefferson Parish Sheriff's deputies got into a chase and exchanged gunfire with a group of suspected car thieves Wednesday.
It all started early Wednesday morning in the 3800 block of North Arnoult in Fat City. According to Sheriff Joseph Lopinto, there were multiple reports of people pulling handles on cars.
When deputies arrived to the scene the suspects rammed a JPSO unit to try and get away, according to Glen Boyd, a spokesman for JPSO.
Sheriff Lopinto said a deputy tried to dive out of the way of the suspect's vehicle, but was struck.
That deputy was taken to the hospital where he was later released in stable condition.
A chase ensued all the way down Veterans Blvd into Kenner, which prompted the shootout, according to Lopinto.
"We had original shots that were fired in the area where the initial encounter occurred by our officer. The suspects began shooting at our officers at Cleary and Veterans, so we have another scene over at Cleary and Veterans that is being processed now, Lopinto said. "The suspect exited the vehicle with a gun that has now been recovered. Our officers opened fire here at this final location also."
The chase ended in 100 block of Veterans Blvd in Kenner. All the suspects were taken into custody at the location except for one, who was taken into custody on West 27th Street in Kenner.
Five suspects in total were taken into custody. Their ages are 13, 16, 17, 18 and 19.
Lopinto said all the suspects were linked to other crimes in the area, and were inside a vehicle reported stolen out of New Orleans.