Chief Neal Lartigue with the Ville Platte Police Department reports multiple arrests and asks for information to assist detectives with ongoing investigation.

On February 6, 2014 at approximately 3:15 p.m. the Ville Platte Police Department received a report of an altercation in progress in the 1800 block of Kembo Avenue, Ville Platte.  Upon arrival officers learned that an altercation had taken place between two men and one man received severe injuries which required medical treatment.  Detective Chateuse James was assigned to the case and began her investigation.  Detective James stated that she learned that one male subject repeatedly struck the other male with a machete in the area of his head, shoulders and back.  Evidence and witness information led to the arrest of Anthony Marks 50, of 803 East Street, Opelousas.  Marks was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail without incident and charged with aggravated second degree battery.  Marks was transferred to the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Jail where he later bonded out on a $25,000.00 bond, set by Judge Thomas Fuselier.  Chief Lartigue stated that it is possible that the charges that Mr. Marks is facing could possibly upgraded by the District Attorney’s Office once they review the file.

On February 15, 2014 at approximately 2:30 p.m. three male subjects entered a residence in the 700 block of Tate Cove Road, Ville Platte and stole several miscellaneous items and left in the homeowners vehicle. During a high speed chase through the city officers from St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana State Police became involved in the pursuit. The driver lost control of the vehicle and it crashed on the Opelousas Road.  Detective Steven Deville was assigned to the case and arrested Christopher Washington 20, of 412 East Cotton Street, Ville Platte, Shaquille Freeman 19, of 414 North East Rail Road, Ville Platte and Reginald Freeman 21, of 414 North East Railroad, Ville Platte.  Each of the three suspects were charged with burglary, unauthorized use of a moveable and criminal damage to property.  Bond was set at $15,000.00 each by judge John Larry Vidrine.  Washington, Freeman and Freeman were transferred to the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office Jail.

On February 19, 2014 at approximately 5:20 a.m. the Ville Platte Police Department responded to a call of shots fired.  Upon arrival officers learned that a male subject drove to a residence and fired multiple shots which damaged a home located on the 600 block of Reed Street, Ville Platte.  There were four people inside the residence at the time of the incident but no one was injured.  Detective Steven Deville was assigned to the case and with evidence and witness statements arrested Sandress Calvin 28, of 1214 Martin Luther King.  Calvin was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail and charged with four counts of attempted second degree murder.  Calvin remains incarcerated at the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office Jail on a $500,000.00 bond set by Judge John Larry Vidrine.

On February 21, 2014 a little after midnight the Ville Platte Police Department received multiple calls reporting shots fired in the area of East Wilson Street between Latour and Chataignier.  Officers responded and the suspects had fled the area. 

Chief Lartigue warns citizens that shooting a firearm in the city limits is not only dangerous, it is illegal.  “We intend to fully prosecute anyone caught shooting a firearm in the city limits.”  Chief Lartigue said, “People do not realize the danger of this type of behavior, when shooting a gun in the air, the bullets have to land somewhere.”    Chief Lartigue also asks residents to call and report anyone they know, see or have heard was shooting a firearm.  Reporting this type of crime could help the officers make an arrest and could possibly save a life.  Call the Ville Platte Police Department at 363-1313.  Your call will remain anonymous.

Chief Lartigue is also asking residents to be on the look out for people in the area who have been stealing air conditioners from businesses and homes.  If you notice suspicious activity in your neighborhood or know of someone who may be involved with the thefts to please contact the department.   Report any information anonymously by calling the Ville Platte Police Department at 363-1313