West Monroe Wanted After Deadly Crime Spree

A home invasion, a bank robbery, multiple auto thefts, a deadly shooting, kidnapping, and a shoot-out with an off-duty sheriff’s deputy: the list of accusations goes on for a man who reportedly doesn’t have a criminal record.

Police in Arkansas and Louisiana are on an aggressive manhunt for a 26-year-old West Monroe man who went on a deadly crime spree that spanned both states. West Monroe Police say he’s driving in a stolen white 2002 Nissan Xterra, bearing Louisiana tags: SBX 583.

The West Monroe Police Chief believes the suspect, Stephen Lane Salsbury of Jonesboro Rd., fatally wounded an elderly man in the parking lot of Brookshire’s in West Monroe before 3 p.m. Officials confirm the suspect later died after he was rushed to Glenwood.

At first, West Monroe Police say that they were called to three different crime scenes located in close proximity of the next one.

West Monroe Police rushed to the 1000 block of Glenwood Drive, and reported that Salsbury stole a silver Toyota Tundra at an apartment complex, and mistakenly kicked in a door where he believed his ex-wife’s husband was living. Police confirm that he brandished a weapon.

“He drove up in this truck, got out with two rifles, and got up to the door, and kicked it open, put the shotgun on the lady, and he apparently was looking for someone else,” said Craig Wallace, a resident.

West Monroe Police say Salsbury allegedly drove across the street to Chase Bank on Thomas Road, where he demanded money from tellers at gunpoint. Detectives confirm that he took off with a bag of cash.

“A fella came in yelling, wanting tellers to empty drawers and give him money. He said something like, ‘You think I’m kidding?’” said Fred Matte, a witness.

But the crime spree wasn’t over for Salsbury, say police, after witnesses confirm that he drove to the parking lot of Brookshire’s, and confronted an elderly man who was walking in the parking lot.

Witnesses say Salsbury got out of the truck, aimed a high-powered assault rifle at the victim’s back, and fired shots in front of two women.

“I heard a gunshot. I was over there working and I turned around and I looked and saw an old man on the ground. During that process, the older guy was like, is this good enough for you? Then he walked back to the truck with the gun and got in,” said Chris Whittington, a construction worker who saw the shooting.

Phillip Bedenbender said, “A woman said, he drove up in a pickup truck with that rifle, shot the man with the rifle, turned and looked at them. They were afraid he’d shoot them.”

West Monroe Police called in assistance on the investigation from the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, state police and the FBI.

Officials tracked Salsbury all the way over to Union County, Ark., where Chief Deputy Clark Burton says officers were called to a possible aggravated robbery at R & D Grocery off Highway 167 South.

Union County Sheriff’s officials say the victim, Rosemary Wallace, claimed that Salsbury ordered her to unlock her door while her children were inside her green Chevy pickup truck. Officials confirm that the suspect was armed with a rifle.

Wallace said she put her truck in reverse and thwarted his attempt to steal her car, leaving the suspect to get back into the stolen Tundra and flee from the store.

Union County Sheriff’s deputies have obtained a felony arrest warrant for Salsbury, for attempted aggravated robbery and attempted theft of property.

Police say that Salsbury then traveled to Webster Parish, where officials confirm that the suspect attempted to kidnap an off-duty sheriff’s dispatcher.

At a Springhill convenience store, officials say the suspect attempted to contact the dispatcher, who was preparing to go to work for the day.  That’s when Salsbury allegedly grabbed her against her will from the parking lot, forced her into her 2002 Nissan Xterra at gunpoint, and demanded that she drive.

Officials say the dispatcher managed to find a gun and got into a shoot-out with Salsbury, before she got out of the SUV. Neither was wounded in the shoot-out.

Salsbury should be considered armed and dangerous. If you recognize Salsbury, contact local authorities immediately.