Officers with the Bogalusa Police Department arrested a Bogalusa man after he allegedly hid underneath a condemned house for several hours while trying to avoid arrest.
Police said officers located Devon R. Cotton, 36, on May 18, 2026, around 2:25 p.m. at an abandoned residence in the 1700 block of Bund Street.
Authorities said officers knew Cotton had several active misdemeanor and felony warrants and went to the location to take him into custody.
Suspect Crawled Underneath House
According to police, officers saw Cotton inside the residence when they approached on foot.
As officers moved closer, Cotton allegedly ran toward the back of the home and crawled through a hole in the floor into the area underneath the house.
Police said officers repeatedly ordered Cotton to come out, but he refused.
Additional officers responded to the scene and set up a perimeter around the property because Cotton was considered a flight risk.
Suspected Methamphetamine Found
During the incident, officers reportedly discovered suspected narcotics along the path where Cotton had been moving underneath the house.
Police recovered two plastic bags containing a white crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine.
The suspected drugs were collected and secured as evidence.
Standoff Lasted About Three Hours
Authorities said officers spent several hours trying to convince Cotton to surrender peacefully.
According to police, Cotton continued moving underneath the structure despite having several chances to come out safely.
After around three hours, officers were able to position Cotton near the edge of the house, where he reportedly told officers he was stuck in mud and debris beneath the structure.
Police and firefighters then worked together to remove dirt and debris so Cotton could be safely removed from underneath the residence.
Multiple Charges Filed
Once officers removed Cotton from beneath the house, he was arrested without further incident and transported to the Bogalusa City Jail.
Devon R. Cotton was charged with:
| Charge | Details |
|---|---|
| Fugitive from outside agency | Two counts |
| Possession of Methamphetamine | Louisiana Revised Statute 40:967 |
| Resisting an Officer | Louisiana Revised Statute 14:108 |
Police also confirmed Cotton had active warrants through Probation and Parole and the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Fire Department Assisted at Scene
The Bogalusa Police Department thanked the Bogalusa Fire Department for helping safely resolve the situation and assisting with Cotton’s extraction from beneath the home.
