Eunice officers nabbed their most-wanted suspect as he crawled through a rice field trying to escape their search.

Nicklous Ryan Thomas, 21, of 721 Anne Street, had eluded police since July 31, when he is accused to two counts of attempted second-degree murder in a shooting at Beulah Gardens Apartments.

He was also wanted on 12 other outstanding warrants.

City Marshal Office deputies were on patrol in the area of North Martin Luther King and Bollich Road on Friday, when they approached a group of men standing in Bollich Road near Lionel Lane.

One began walking away, then began running. Deputies pursued him east on Bollich until losing sight of the man as he entered a rice field at Bollich and Spatz Road.

Marshal and Police Department officers established a perimeter around he field and shortly thereafter caught the suspect trying to crawl away. St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s personnel assisted in the pursuit.

Since the July shooting, Thomas, described as considered armed and dangerous, had twice narrowly eluded police.

Other pending charges against him are discharging a firearm in the city limits, three counts of resisting an officer, reckless operation, no driver’s license, a money warrant, simple criminal damage to property, two counts of disturbing the peace, purse snatching and simple burglary.

Police have not released a motive in the July shooting. Also charged with attempted murder is Jeddimeyer Vallere of Eunice.