Two Fugitives Wanted in Texas Captured in Opelousas With Gun in Hand

Fugitives Tracked Down on West Cherry Street

Opelousas Police conducted an investigation on West Cherry Street following the arrest of a fugitive from Texas, with a heavy police presence concentrated near the intersection of West Cherry Street and South Market Street. What began as a targeted law enforcement operation quickly escalated into a significant takedown — officers ultimately arrested two individuals wanted out of Texas and recovered a firearm in the process.

Opelousas Police were on the scene of the arrest of a fugitive from Texas on West Cherry Street, and the department advised the public to avoid the 200 block of West Cherry Street and seek alternate routes until the operation had concluded. Residents in the area were urged to steer clear as officers worked to bring the situation to a safe close.

Who Was Wanted and Why

According to authorities, one of the suspects — 17-year-old Javon Jean of Opelousas — was wanted on a charge of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon stemming from a warrant out of Texas. The other suspect, 21-year-old Braylyain Keion Frank of Opelousas, was wanted on charges of Injuring a Juvenile, Elderly, or Disabled Person with Serious Bodily Injury from a Texas warrant, as well as Failure to Appear in Court on a Louisiana warrant.

Crime Stoppers had been seeking tips on the two suspects, who were believed to have returned to St. Landry Parish. Officials warned that the pair may be armed and dangerous. That warning proved prescient — a gun was recovered when officers moved in to make the arrests, adding a weapons charge to an already serious list of outstanding offenses.

A Pattern of Cross-State Fugitive Activity

This arrest is part of a broader and troubling pattern of fugitives with ties to Texas being tracked down in and around Opelousas. The St. Landry Parish area, including Opelousas, has documented ties to individuals wanted in Texas — including cases involving violent offenses like murder. Law enforcement agencies in Louisiana have increasingly coordinated with Texas authorities and federal task forces to address this cross-state fugitive problem.

Authorities had stressed that the suspects were considered armed and dangerous, asking the public not to approach them but to notify law enforcement immediately. The fact that a firearm was indeed recovered at the time of the arrests underscores just how high-stakes these operations can be for the officers involved.

Community Impact and What Comes Next

Police encouraged people to stay away from the area and seek alternate routes until they concluded their operation, and anyone with information regarding the incident or any crime was encouraged to contact the Opelousas Police Department or St. Landry Crime Stoppers at 337-948-TIPS (8477). The swift resolution of the situation limited the disruption to the surrounding neighborhood, though residents were understandably shaken by the heavy police activity in their area.

The recovery of a firearm alongside two fugitives carrying violent felony warrants is a reminder of the risks that come when wanted individuals evade capture across state lines. As investigators continue to process evidence and review the full scope of the case, additional charges remain a possibility. For Opelousas and St. Landry Parish, the arrests represent a win for interagency cooperation — and a warning to others evading justice that Louisiana law enforcement is watching closely.