The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a pair of vehicle burglaries that happened on two separate nights and involved four juveniles, ages 13 and 10. The juveniles, one age 10; three of whom are 13, have been arrested and booked with attempted theft of a motor vehicle (felony); simple criminal damage to property – $1,000 – $50,000 (felony) and theft – less than $1,000 (misdemeanor).
St. John Sheriff’s detectives say the four male suspects targeted vehicles in the 500 block of Revere Drive in LaPlace during the late night and early morning hours of June 28-June 29 and again on July 2.
This investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected.
On June 29, at 7:18 p.m., a St. John deputy responded to a call for service in the 500 block of Revere Drive in LaPlace about an attempted theft of 2020 Hyundai Elantra. The owner reported the car was locked and parked in the apartment complex lot at 11 p.m. on June 28. The following day, June 29, the owner returned from work at 7 p.m. and found damage to the vehicle’s steering column, ignition, headlamp control arm, wiring harness and steering wheel. The owner also reported a purse, estimated value of $500, missing from the vehicle.
On July 2, at 7:20 a.m., a St. John deputy responded to a call for service in the 500 block of Revere Drive in LaPlace regarding a vehicle burglary involving a 2021 Kia Rio. The owner reported the car was locked and parked at midnight. At 7 a.m. a neighbor informed the owner that a window was broken on the vehicle. The owner went to inspect the vehicle and found that the rear driver’s side window was completely shattered and the door was slightly ajar. Nothing was reported missing from the vehicle.
The deputy saw the plastic housing on the driver door handle surrounding the key hole was broken and laying on the ground next to the vehicle, appearing to be the result of a failed entry attempt.
The SJSO has crime cameras located in the area and a review of that footage shows that at 2:30 a.m. on July 2, four juveniles walk to the Revere Drive area from the west and commit the burglaries.
Three juveniles were arrested July 9th and one was arrested July 3rd and booked with attempted theft of a motor vehicle (felony); simple criminal damage to property – $1,000 – $50,000 (felony) and theft – less than $1,000 (misdemeanor). They were later released to the custody of relatives.