Chief Neal Lartigue reports that the Ville Platte Police Department is working on multiple investigations continuously.  
 
The investigation into the July 23rd homicide of Mr. Joseph John continues and anyone who may have information is asked to call the Ville Platte Police Department at 363-1313.  The department is following leads and are also waiting on results from the crime lab.  Anyone calling in with information will remain anonymous.
 
The department is also continuing its investigation into the thefts involving yard ornaments, patio furniture and pottery.  At the beginning of the investigation it was believed that the suspects had stolen somewhere around $5,000.00 worth of items.  At this time more items are still being recovered and after 4 days of recovery efforts by the Ville Platte Police Department and the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office the initial estimate has been changed to over $30,000.00.  It is important to note that many, many stolen items are still unaccounted for.  This investigation continues and more arrests are pending.
 
On August 20, 2013 Jarvis Lorenzo Richard 28, of 1217 Martin Luther King Dr. Ville Platte was arrested and brought to the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office Jail. Richard is being charged with multiple counts of theft with more charges pending. 

Chief Lartigue stated that the investigation will take some time to complete because there were so many things stolen over the last few months.  “We ask that those who have been victims to be patient.”  Chief said, “We are almost a week into recovery efforts and we are still locating items.”  To check for your belongings you are asked to contact the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office to find out the hours that someone will be available to help you. 

If you recently purchased ornamental items, patio furniture or pottery from someone who was selling these items on the street you should call one of the two agencies to report this information.  If you keep items that you know or are being told are stolen then you can be arrested.  The safest bet is to call if you did not purchase your items from a business.  If you purchased items in the city limits you would call the Ville Platte Police Department at 363-1313.  If you live outside of the city limits you would call the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office at 363-2161.