On July 12, 2012, Pine Prairie Police Assistant Chief Joey Arnaud requested assistance from Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Department for a burglary of Pine Prairie Pharmacy.  Officers observed a hole in the pharmacy floor and noticed several electric hand tools had been left at the scene after responding to an alarm activation.  Assistant Chief Arnaud later conducted a traffic stop on Pecan Street, where he observed Justin David Lawson as a passenger.  Lawson was bare footed, muddy and gave a fictitious name of Colby Lawson with conflicting statements on his whereabouts.  Officers were able to recover Lawson’s shoes and several items of evidence including the tools and gloves used in the burglary.  Lawson was interviewed in reference to the burglary, where he admitted to cutting a hole in the floor of the pharmacy and taking numerous bottles of prescription pills. Lawson said he was dropped off at the pharmacy by his girlfriend Heather Danielle Riggs, of 544 Denny Road, Deville La, 71328, but said she left when the alarm sounded.  Lawson was booked in the parish jail for criminal damage to property, burglary of a pharmacy, theft and misrepresentation during booking.  Assistant Chief Arnaud and Captain Shawn Eckhart were able to recover the medication stolen from the pharmacy in a field off of Pecan Street.  A warrant for the arrest of Heather Riggs was executed on July 17, 2012.  Riggs was arrested and booked in the parish jail for principle to burglary of a pharmacy and principle to theft.   

On July 17, 2012, Detectives with Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Department arrested Patrick D. Thomas and Kayla Renee Hebert for unauthorized use of an access card.  Detectives were able to retrieve video footage from several convenience stores depicting Thomas and Hebert using a stolen debit card to make unauthorized purchases.  Thomas and Hebert both admitted to using the stolen debit card.  Patrick Thomas was booked in the parish jail for five counts of unauthorized use of an access card.  Kayla Hebert was booked in the parish jail for unauthorized use of an access card. 

On July 20, 2012, Assistant Warden Garnett intercepted a package from Latrakus Rondez Joseph, which was intended for an inmate housed in the parish jail.  Garnett searched the contents and located a black cellular phone hidden inside a pack of Community Coffee.  A warrant for the arrest of Latrakus Rondez Joseph was issued.  Joseph was booked in the parish jail for introduction of contraband into a penal facility. 

On July 24, 2012, Assistant Warden Garnett intercepted a package from Heather Riggs which was intended for an inmate housed in the parish jail.  Garnett contacted Detectives and after inspecting the contents of the packages Detectives discovered narcotics, tobacco, cigarette lighters and other items considered as contraband concealed inside bottles of body wash and coffee creamer.  Detectives obtained a consent to search Riggs’ vehicle, which was parked on government property, and discovered more marijuana, prescription pills and a clear Ziploc type bag containing a white powder residue, believed to be a controlled dangerous substance.  Heather Danielle Riggs was booked in the parish jail for four counts of introduction of contraband into a penal facility, two counts of possession with the intent to distribute a schedule II controlled dangerous substance, possession with the intent to distribute a schedule I controlled dangerous substance, simple possession of a schedule I controlled dangerous substance and possession of drugs in a drug free zone.  Additional charges are pending the outcome of the scientific analysis from the contents of the clear Ziploc type bag found in Riggs’ vehicle. 

            Sheriff Eddie Soileau would like to remind citizens that the operation of ATV’s on the roadway is unsafe and is illegal.  Persons found operating ATV’s on the roadway may be cited and the ATV towed at the owner’s expense.  Sheriff would also like 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.