Ville Platte Police Chief Neal Lartigue reports that an arrest has been made in a church break in.

On March 22, 2013 Officers responded to a report of a break in at a church on East Main Street at approximately 5:30 p.m. Upon arrival Officers learned that items inside the church had been knocked over and a couple of items were stolen.  A witness stated that they had observed a black male rummaging through items in the church and upon being discovered the black male then left the building. Detectives were notified of the break in and had observed someone matching the suspect’s description in the vicinity of the Church that same day and also witnessed that the suspect had what appeared to be one of the stolen items.  The Detectives had no report of any items stolen or a break in at the time they observed the male in the area.  Detectives identified the suspect and arrested was Samuel Fontenot 26, of 605 N. Soileau St. Apartment 147, Ville Platte.  Mr. Fontenot was charged with burglary of a religious building and simple criminal damage to property.  Mr. Fontenot was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail on a $15,000.00 bond set by Judge John Larry Vidrine.  Mr. Fontenot was later transferred to the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office Jail where he remains incarcerated.  

If you have information on any type of illegal activity please contact the Ville Platte Police Department at 363-1313.  Your call will remain anonymous.