Nicholas Banta wanted for six area crimes

By ROBIN SHANNON

Staff Reporter

HAHNVILLE – St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s deputies are seeking help in locating a Metairie man wanted for a series of burglaries in the St. Charles and St. John the Baptist Parish area.

Nicholas P. Banta, 29, 3531 46th St., Metairie, LA, is wanted on six counts of simple burglary for breaking into convenience stores in the River Parishes area between May 31, 2007, and July 22, 2007.

Captain Patrick Yoes of the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office said that in a majority of these incidents, Banta gained access to the store by cutting into the roof of the building. Yoes said in each case, Banta either stole the store’s safe outright, or lifted assorted currency from the safe.

Yoes said deputies had been following various leads in the case, but nothing had panned out. He is hoping someone from the public is willing to come forward with any information.

&#8220We just want to get this guy’s face out there as much as possible,” said Yoes.

Anyone with any information that could lead to the arrest of Banta is asked to call the St. Charles Sheriff’s office, 985-783-6807, or Crimestoppers at 1-877-903-STOP.

Yoes said people who come forward might be entitled to a reward.