Chief Neal Lartigue reports recent juvenile arrests and juvenile crimes:

After multiple vehicle break ins being conducted by juveniles, Chief Lartigue issues a warning to everyone about leaving items in a vehicle. Never leave purses, cell phones, even cell phone charges or any item that may hold value, inside your vehicle.  Chief Lartigue stated, “We have had several windows broken on vehicles and items stolen and in other cases the items were left inside a vehicle that was not even locked.”  The Highway Safety Council has been airing commercials warning about the same type of incidents happening all around the state. 

Here are some of the recent incidents of vehicle break ins and arrests of juveniles in the city of Ville Platte.  The names of those arrested can not be listed because they are juveniles.

July 25, 2016 at approximately 2:30 Officers were dispatched to the 100 block of East Main on a report of a vehicle break in.  Upon arrival Officers and Detectives learned that the owner had left a purse on the front seat and juvenile broke a window on the vehicle and stole the purse. After further investigation one arrest was made of a black male juvenile age 15 and one black male juvenile is still at large.

July 26, 2016 officers were dispatched to a vehicle break in on Roderick street where a window was broken on the vehicle and a purse was stolen.

July 29, 2016  Officers were dispatched to a vehicle break in on West Magnolia and a second vehicle break in on East Lasalle where the glass was broken and a purse was stolen from each vehicle.

July 31, 2016 Officers were dispatched to a report of a vehicle break in on the 600 block of North Chataignier.  The vehicle had been left unlocked and a purse with a cell phone and cash was taken. A few hours later the suspect who was a 13 black male was arrested.  Upon arresting the juvenile Officers discovered that he had marijuana in his possession.  The purse and contents were later recovered and returned to the owner.  The juvenile was charged with simple burglary, theft and possession of schedule I.

Chief Lartigue urges everyone to remove any and all items of value from your vehicle each and every time you exit the vehicle.  Also remember to lock your vehicle doors.  Simple but smart steps to make it harder to become a victim of a vehicle burglary. 

 If you have any information on any of these vehicle break ins or any other crimes please report this illegal activity to the Ville Platte Police Department at 363-1313, your call will remain anonymous.