SBSO ARRESTS TWO TEENS IN CONNECTION WITH VEHICLE BURGLARIES, LOOKING FOR TWO OTHERS
The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrested two teens this week for breaking into cars in Chalmette, Sheriff James Pohlmann said, and they are currently looking for two additional suspects in a rash of what they believe to be unrelated vehicle burglaries that occured in Arabi last week.
A 17-year-old male who lives in Chalmette was booked Wednesday, June 1, with simple burglary and resisting an officer, as well as on an outstanding warrant out of St. Bernard for illegal possession of a firearm by a juvenile and illegal discharge of a firearm in an unrelated previous incident.
A second 17-year-old male, also of Chalmette, was booked Wednesday as well with simple burglary and on an outstanding warrant out of St. Bernard for aggravated assault with a firearm during a separate prior incident.
On Wednesday, June 1, shortly after 4 a.m., deputies with the Field Operations Bureau Patrol Division responded to a call for service in reference to two individuals pulling on vehicle door handles in the 3500 block of Karen Drive in Chalmette.
When deputies arrived on the scene they came into contact with a subject rummaging through the inside of a pickup truck parked in front of a residence.
The suspect, later identified as the first 17-year-old male, fled on foot as deputies approached. The teen was apprehended a few blocks away and was taken into custody after a brief struggle.
During the course of the investigation, detectives with the Criminal Investigations Bureau were able to identify the second teen and he was also taken into custody without incident.
The investigation is ongoing, the Sheriff said, and detectives also are looking for two additional suspects in what they believe to be unrelated car burglaries that happened in the early morning hours of Friday, May 27 in the Arabi area.
Sheriff Pohlmann urges residents not to let a stranger’s youth lure them into a false sense of security. He encourages citizens to remain vigilant, and report any suspicious activity in their neighborhood by calling the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501.
“If you see something, say something,” the Sheriff said. “We want you to call and report any suspicious behavior you see so we can investigate it immediately and try to stop these types of crimes before they happen.”
Sheriff Pohlmann reminds residents to keep their vehicles locked at all times in an effort to deter criminals from committing a “crime of opportunity.”
“This is why it’s very important to make sure your vehicles are locked at all times,” the Sheriff said. “Locking your vehicle and not leaving items of value, especially guns, in plain sight can greatly reduce your chances of being a victim of theft.”
Citizens who want to share information with detectives about any criminal activity pertaining to St. Bernard Parish or any of its residents, can do so anonymously through the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau’s new tip hotline, (504) 271-TIPS or 8477.
Callers can leave a detailed message, and either choose to provide their contact information, or remain anonymous.
The Sheriff said residents who feel they are in danger or in need of immediate assistance should call 911. Non-emergency issues such as requesting to speak with a deputy also can be handled by calling (504) 271-2501.
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