Police say a fugitive is suspected of stealing a Salem car — and they are asking you to be on the lookout. Police say it started last night with a suspicious vehicle call around the motels near the Electric Road exit of Interstate 81. Officers determined it was stolen from Louisiana and may be driven by Wade Barrette Lohse, a fugitive wanted there on multiple charges including vehicular homicide. Then this morning, a Jeep was reported stolen from a home about a mile away, and police believe Lohse may have taken it. It is a white Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, perhaps most notable for a bumper sticker reading “I have a Great Dane That Is Smarter Than Your Honor Student”.
(Continue reading for full information from Salem Police)
Here is the full Salem Police news release:
On April 11 at approximately 9 p.m., Salem Police were called to respond to a suspicious person/vehicle complaint in the 100 block of Sheraton Drive. Officers arrived and located a white 2011 Mazda 6 bearing Louisiana license plates. Officers determined the vehicle was stolen from Louisiana, but were unable to locate the person who was seen with the car prior to their arrival.
This morning, further investigation revealed that the vehicle had possibly been occupied by a wanted fugitive identified as Wade Barrette Lohse. Lohse is wanted in Louisiana for Failing to Appear in court on original charges of Vehicular Homicide, Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon, and Burglary.
Mr. Lohse has a history of violence to include weapons possession and is actively being sought by law enforcement and United States Marshals.
A 1999 white Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo was reported stolen from the 1400 block of Sycamore Drive on April 12 at approximately 7 a.m. The Jeep bears Virginia registration XXF-5792 and has a red sticker affixed to the rear bumper bearing the message “I Have A Great Dane That Is Smarter Than Your Honor Student”. The vehicle also has a taillight and headlight that are not operational. There are no witnesses to the theft of the Jeep. However, the location of the Jeep theft occurred in close proximity to Sheraton Drive. It is possible that Lohse is the operator of this stolen vehicle.
Lohse is described as a white male, 5’10, 170 with blond or graying hair with hazel eyes. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the stolen vehicle or Lohse is asked to contact their local law enforcement agency or the United States Marshal’s office at 337-319-4086 or 337-251-6921.
