FERRIDAY &045;&045; Natchez murder suspect Greg Moffett was captured by Concordia Parish sheriff’s deputies and Ferriday police early Wednesday morning on U.S. 84 just outside the Ferriday city limits.

According to a press release from the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office, a clerk at the 84 Quick Stop convenience store called the sheriff’s office when Moffett shook the front door, asking for food.

He was arrested by deputies without resistance but did not identify himself, saying he was hunting and a friend dropped him off and would pick him back up.

Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins said Moffett waived extradition and was transported to the city jail Wednesday morning, where he is being held without bond. Moffett’s arraignment will be early this morning to set a bond and a date for a preliminary hearing.

The capture came after two days of searching. Police identified Moffett Sunday as a suspect in the death of his live-in girlfriend, Tatanisha LeKeytha Thomas, 26.

An autopsy performed Monday confirmed Thomas died from blunt trauma to the head, according to Adams County Coroner James Lee.

Mullins said local residents tips to the Crimestoppers phone line helped locate Moffett.

&uot;Over the two days, we received between 30 to 40 tips on where he may possibly be,&uot; Mullins said. And many callers gave police information about where Moffett’s friends and family live and about places he frequents.

&uot;Any time you have a situation like this, you try to get them in custody as quickly as you can,&uot; Mullins said.

&uot;Anyone as desperate as he was, you are always concerned he may commit another crime.&uot;

Natchez police searched many places throughout Natchez Monday after receiving tips, and Moffett finally led them on a car chase from Natchez to Ferriday Tuesday night.

&uot;We were very close to him several times,&uot; Mullins said.

Mullins said police received a call a vehicle was stolen Tuesday night and a police officer was on its trail. Moffett apparently stole the vehicle on Reynolds Street and drove it across the bridge into Vidalia and up U.S. 84 before crashing it just south of Ferriday in front of KFNV radio station.

The pursuit didn’t turn into a chase until Moffett hit the bridge and accelerated to pull away from the officer following him, Mullins said.

Moffett speeded out of Vidalia at approximately 80 mph.

A canine unit picked up the scent of the suspect once he fled the car, Mullins said, and led police to an embankment the suspect apparently slid down when he entered the woods. The dog also took police to Moffett’s shirt, which he shed, and to some blood from injuries Moffett sustained in the crash. Concordia deputies, police from Natchez, Vidalia and Ferriday and Louisiana state police searched together until Natchez officers left Ferriday around 8 p.m.

&uot;I’m extremely glad that we could assist Natchez in this case,&uot; Sheriff Randy Maxwell said in a statement. &uot;We’re all very glad that this suspect is off the streets.&uot;

&uot;I commend the officers for the way they handled it because there (were) no injuries except that to the suspect, which he caused himself, and there was no property damage,&uot; Mullins said.

&uot;High-speed chase of a murder suspect is one of the most dangerous activities a patrol officer can be involved in.&uot;

In the car Moffett crashed near Ferriday, police found a pistol magazine with 9 mm ammunition but did not find a weapon, Mullins said. &uot;Monday night, we got information from an informant that the suspect had shown him a handgun, so when this chase (Tuesday night) ensued, we had reliable information he was armed,&uot; Mullins said.