By VICKIE JAMBON

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – A LaPlace man was arrested for breaking into a local cafe Monday morning after officers spotted pieces of glass on the bystander’s clothing, said St. John the Baptist Parish Public Information Officer Capt. Dane Clement.

Authorities responded to a 5:26 a.m. burglar alarm at the Hot Spot Cafe located at 107 Carrollwood Drive.

As they neared the building, officers saw a black male standing near the intersection of Dominican Drive and Carrollwood Drive said Clement.

Authorities proceeded to enter and search the Hot Spot Cafe. As they did so, they noticed a shattered windowpane in the diner’s door.

The rock used to smash the window was found inside the cafe, conveyed Clement.

When the officers walked outside the eatery, they once again noticed the black male previously standing on the street corner.

By this time, the man was standing in the restaurant’s parking lot.

Officers identified the man as Elroy Randale, 19, of 1412 Yorktowne Drive.

Clement said, authorities grew suspicious of Randale when they noticed glass shards on him.

He also said Randale made statements to the officers that conflicted.

Randale was charged with criminal damage to property and simple burglary. He is being held at the Nelson Coleman Correctional Facility.

Clement said Randale is being investigated for similar break-ins that occurred in LaPlace Sunday night.

The similar break-ins took place at the First Baptist Church located at 120 Ormond Boulevard and at a strip mall located at 75 Dominican Drive.