On April 3, 2012, Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Department teamed up with the U.S. Marshal Service, Violent Offender Task Force, and executed a search warrant for a fugitive from South Carolina.  Vincente Mendoza was wanted by the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina for the murder of two female victims by gunshot wounds to the head, which occurred on March 18, 2012.  A vehicle belonging to one of the victims was later located by Louisiana State Police, abandoned in rural Acadia Parish in the early morning hours of March 20, 2012.  Officers executed the warrants at a residence on Jean Pierre Road in Ville Platte, where Mendoza was located hiding within the residence.  Officers were able to positively identify Mendoza as the subject wanted in connection with the two murders in South Carolina.  Mendoza was booked into the Evangeline Parish Jail and is awaiting extradition.

            Sheriff Eddie Soileau would like to bring to the public’s attention about numerous thefts of four wheelers and zero turn type lawn tractors within Evangeline Parish.  Sheriff Soileau would like to remind citizens to properly secure their equipment and to contact his office with information about illegal activities and to report all suspicious activity to his office.  He said all callers will remain anonymous.