Houma man arrested, accused of drag racing in Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office arrested a man after being accused of drag racing in Baton Rouge.

Jose Andras Reulas-Guerra, 21, of Houma, was arrested on charges of reckless operation of a vehicle, aggravated flight from an officer and drag racing.

According to an arrest warrant, East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a traffic stop in the 10700 block of N. Mall Drive in Baton Rouge on Aug. 31. Deputies learned about a reported car meet at several locations and parking lots in Baton Rouge.

At 11 p.m. on Aug. 31, Baton Rouge Police officers saw over 50 cars in the parking lot of the Mall of Louisiana. Once law enforcement arrived, the vehicles began to leave the area.

An EBRSO deputy reported about 20 high-performance vehicles heading east on I-10 at Siegen Lane, heading toward N. Mall Drive. The deputy arrived at the Conn’s Home Plus parking lot on N. Mall Drive to find over 100 cars in the parking lot performing donuts and burnouts.

BRPD and EBRSO arrived at the parking lot as vehicles began to leave the area.

According to a warrant, at 11:30 p.m., a Black Chevrolet Camaro was seen performing burnouts as they were leaving. EBRSO deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop but the Camaro failed to stop. The Camaro traveled at 70 mph into the opposing lane of travel with other vehicles on the roadway. The vehicle turned north on Siegen Lane and then immediately traveled on I-10 toward Highland Road. EBRSO deputies reported traveling at 105 mph in pursuit of the Camaro in a 70 mph speed zone. The Camaro reportedly began to pull away from the patrol vehicle, indicating traveling at speeds over 100 mph. The sheriff’s office ended the pursuit.

The warrant states an EBRSO deputy saw the driver of the Camaro through their driver-side window. The deputy matched the driver, Reulas-Guerra, with the vehicle’s registration.

Reulas-Guerra was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. A $5,000 bond amount has been set, according to jail records.