BAY MINETTE, Ala. (AP) — Two youths who escaped from a juvenile facility in Louisiana were in custody following a standoff that led to the shutdown of Interstate 65 in southwest Alabama, authorities said Friday.
A deputy stopped a vehicle on the highway on Thursday after checking the license plate and discovering it had been reported stolen in Shreveport, Louisiana, the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
The driver got out and was arrested, but a passenger remained in the car and wouldn't talk to officers. Additional officers were called after the driver told a deputy there were two guns in the vehicle, the statement said.
Tactical officers using an armored vehicle finally communicated with the passenger, who was arrested and later told officers he hadn't exited the car because he was asleep, sheriff's officials said.
The youths, who weren't identified and were charged with offenses including possession of a stolen vehicle and guns, will be sent back to Louisiana, authorities said.