According to Ville Platte Police Chief, Neal Lartigue:
On June 24, 2016 Officers with the Ville Platte Police Department responded to a call in the 600 block of Vidrine Street. Upon arrival Officers learned that a black male had broken into a residence and attempted to rape the homeowner. The victim was able to press an alert button which frightened the suspect which caused him to flee the residence.
Detectives were called to the scene to begin their investigation. Evidence was collected and turned over to the Acadiana Crime Lab. In April 2017 the Ville Platte Police Department received information from the Acadiana Crime Lab that listed Dwight Thomas as the suspect in this incident.
On Friday April 7, 2017, Dwight Thomas, 36, of 814 Owen Street, Ville Platte, was arrested and charged with attempted rape, aggravated burglary and sexual battery of the infirmed. Thomas was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail and then transported to the Evangeline Parish Jail where he remains incarcerated on a $ 325,000.00 bond set by Judge Chuck West.
Chief Lartigue reminds residence of the importance of reporting suspicious activity. If you have information on any type of illegal or suspicious activity you are asked to call the Ville Platte Police Department at 363-1313. Your call will remain anonymous.