Ouachita man arrested after home invasion, carjacking, chase along New Natchitoches

A Ouachita Parish man is accused of a series of crimes including home invasion, carjacking, and leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase before escaping.

According to court records, it happened around 11:35 a.m. on Dec. 5.

Investigators say that during the series of events, 34-year-old David Acree went into multiple homes near New Natchitoches Road, assaulted at least two people, and ran multiple drivers off the road as he fled deputies.

On Grayson Street, Acree is accused of going to a home and beating on the door. Acree then went inside, grabbed a woman by the arms and began shaking her. The victim stated that Acree did not say anything to her, but appeared to be in a manic type state. She told investigators she was very scared. Acree then took her cellphone and left.

He is then accused of going up to a parked vehicle nearby and pulling on a door handle so hard it came off. Acree then allegedly went inside a second Grayson Street home and left out of a side door and threw the phone down while running away.

Another incident, deputies say, happened on the next street over. They say the suspect approached a victim sitting on the front steps of her home on Westwood Drive. They say Acree grabbed the victim by her shoulders and pushed her to the ground. He then went inside and locked her out. They say he found her keys, went back outside, pushed her again and stole her vehicle.

The stolen vehicle was later spotted on Hwy 15 near Cheniere Drew Road. Law enforcement tried to pull Acree over, but say he began speeding away. They say Acree passed vehicles in no-passing zones, exceeded the speed limit and ran other vehicles off the road.

They say he ran a red light at Hwy 80 and Cheniere Drew Road, and continued onto Hwy 546. They say he got onto Interstate 20 east and forced more drivers off the road. Law enforcement chased him onto Well Road and headed south, where Acree again forced vehicles off the road. He then headed west on New Natchitoches, drove into and out of the Moose Lodge parking lot before continuing west to Vancil Road.

While on Vancil Road, they say he turned into a wooded area, crashing into a large creek. He fled the scene on foot and was able to escape.

Warrants were issued for his arrest and Acree was located the next day.

Acree faces multiple charges, including theft, two counts of home invasion, carjacking, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, simple criminal damage to property, aggravated flight from an officer, and resisting an officer.

According to court records, Acree has a lengthy criminal history including harassment, theft, battery, and drug charges. He was also arrested in May for aggravated flight from an officer.