A Franklinton man was arrested Saturday, after he was discovered hiding after allegedly fleeing the scene of a burglary in progress.

Matthew Anthony Stevens, 28, was charged with burglary — inhabited dwelling. He was transferred to the Washington Parish Jail and his bond was set at $25,000.

According to Chief Deputy Mike Haley of the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, a citizen was arriving at his residence on Harry Kennedy Road in Angie at approximately 6 a.m., when he interrupted a burglary in progress.

Haley said that the burglar sped away as the homeowner approached the house. The homeowner followed in his vehicle.

After several minutes, the burglar’s vehicle suddenly stopped on a bridge on Louisiana Highway 438. The driver reportedly jumped out of his vehicle and ran into the swampy area underneath the bridge before disappearing into the thick woods.

Sheriff’s Office deputies, along with Sheriff’s Office detectives and canine officers from Rayburn Correctional Center, followed the suspect’s trail through the woods and tracked him to Cleve Kennedy Road where he was located hiding in a shed behind a residence.

Stevens was quickly taken into custody and placed in the Washington Parish Jail. All of the items taken from the Harry Kennedy Road burglary were recovered.

“Within two hours of the burglary, the suspect was in our custody,” Sheriff Randy Seal said. “Our officers did an outstanding job. Along with officers from Rayburn Correctional Center, they make a formidable team.

“I appreciate RCC Warden Sandy McCain and his entire staff for the excellent job they do to assist us whenever we call on them. It was tough tracking him through the thick woods on a hot and humid morning, but the officers stuck with the task and made the arrest. Thanks, men, for a job well done.”