Manhunt underway for burglary suspects

The search is on for two men who tried to run down a Columbia County Deputy during an apparent burglary attempt early Wednesday at Fallin Tractor Co. in Magnolia. Detective Todd Dew of the Magnolia Police Department said that at about 2:26 a.m., the deputy was traveling on the U.S. Highway 79 bypass when he noticed that the parking lights of a U-Haul van were on at the equipment dealership.

The deputy radioed for backup from Magnolia officers and drove his vehicle into the Fallin parking lot to investigate. He exited his patrol unit and walked toward the U-Haul truck. Dew said two black males got into the truck and the driver deliberately drove toward the deputy and attempted to run him down.

The deputy fired an undisclosed number of shots at the vehicle, which fled west on Pittman Street. The vehicle had disappeared by the time the deputy

could report his condition to central dispatch and reach his unit. The deputy was not injured.

According to Dew, lawmen have reason to believe that the suspects may be from Louisiana and authorities from that state are assisting in the investigation.

The Magnolia Police Department released still photographs of the two men they think may have been involved.

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspects may call the Columbia County central dispatch tip-line at 870-234-5655.