NEWTON, Texas — Two people have been arrested in Louisiana following the theft of a school bus from Newton Middle School earlier this week, according to local authorities.
The Newton ISD Police Department confirmed that Cody Wayne Parker and Shadow Raven Hamilton were taken into custody Thursday night in Mittie, Louisiana. The arrests were announced in a department release shared by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.
Bus Taken Early Morning, Later Recovered
Investigators said the unoccupied school bus was stolen at approximately 2:40 a.m. from Newton Middle School. Authorities believe two individuals were involved in taking the bus from school property before fleeing the area.
Several hours later, the bus was located in Merryville, Louisiana, where it was recovered without damage. School officials coordinated its safe return to Newton, and no students or staff were involved at any point during the incident.
Multi-Agency Effort Leads to Arrests
Following the theft, law enforcement agencies across state lines worked together to identify and locate the suspects. On Friday, officials confirmed that detectives from Beauregard Parish, Vernon Parish, and Allen Parish assisted in the investigation, ultimately leading authorities to a residence in Louisiana where Parker and Hamilton were arrested.
Newton ISD police stated that the cooperation between Texas and Louisiana agencies was critical in resolving the case quickly and ensuring the recovery of school property.
Extradition and Charges Pending
According to investigators, the Newton ISD Police Department is currently preparing theft-related warrants and coordinating the extradition process to bring both suspects back to Newton County, Texas, where they are expected to face formal charges.
Officials have not yet released details regarding additional charges or whether either suspect has prior criminal history.
Message From Authorities
In a closing statement, Newton ISD police thanked community members for their assistance and awareness during the investigation.
“NISD Police would like to thank the public for their cooperation and remind everyone that crime doesn’t pay, stay in school,” the department said.
Authorities noted that updates will be provided as the extradition process moves forward and court proceedings begin.
