Video: Suspect Who Allegedly Posed As Law Officer During Bogus Traffic Stops Behind Bars After Intensive Manhunt

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A Pontotoc County man is behind bars after he is arrested in connection with an attempted kidnapping and kidnapping early Saturday.

It didn’t take long for authorities to zero in on 44 year old Louis Winston Scott, after reports came in this weekend of two similar crimes. In one case, a woman reported a man driving a four door car, flashed blue and red lights as she was driving north of Tupelo. When she pulled over, she noticed the suspect coming at her with a knife, and she sped away, calling authorities.

The second crime occurred a short time later on I-22 in Union County.

“He pulled our victim over on the side of I-22, approached the vehicle, she had her head down looking in her purse for drivers license and identification, when she looked back he was at the window with a mask, gloves and knife, got her out of car, abducted her put in car with him, continued into a rural area where he raped her,” said Union County Sheriff Jimmy Edwards.

The victim was taken back to her car and released. Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson says eyewitness accounts, and input from the public led to Scott.

“In 2000, he was convicted in Union County of sexual battery and kidnapping, he was also convicted at that same time of a similar incident in Lee County where he was convicted of sexual battery,” Sheriff Johnson said.

Louis served about 14 years in prison until his release on probation a few months ago.

Law officers went to his house, to serve a search warrant. Scott had fled, but they took his car, and other evidence. The suspect was apprehended and arrested Monday afternoon.

Authorities are relieved the convicted sex offender is off the streets.

“That’s our main focus is protecting the public , and I’m sure, I know I’am and sheriff Johnson is as well, just as relieved as they are,” Sheriff Edwards said.

“It’s a privilege to have surrounding agencies that work together, as Sheriff Edwards said, for a common goal, of helping the public, when you get one of these guys off the streets, it is rewarding,” said Sheriff Johnson.

It was a team effort, the Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Office helped out, and DeSoto County supplied its helicopter for the search.

Scott could have his initial appearance in Lee County on Tuesday. He will face additional charges of Kidnapping, Attempted Armed Robbery and 3 counts of Sexual Battery in Union County.