Last Christmas Eve, a burglar alarm went off at about 7 p.m. at a home in the 2300 block of Ormond Boulevard when the residents were away.

Deputy Ronald Newman arrived and observed a white male riding a bicycle in the area wearing a backpack. Newman detained this subject, and further investigation revealed the suspect had entered the home and was just beginning to rummage through drawers when the alarm went off and Newman pulled up.

It was also determined the suspect had unsuccessfully attempted to enter another home next door where residents were also away.

The suspect was arrested for burglary and gave a fictitious name. Later, at the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center, the suspect’s fingerprints were taken in AFIS, and the nationwide computer system gave the true identity of this burglar.

He turned out to be Ronald Lee Moore, one of America’s most wanted criminals who had just been released from a Maryland jail after serving time for burglary. Moore was released in error in November 2007 as a hold on him for a violent rape charge was overlooked. Moore was also charged with the violent rape of a woman by use of an electronic cattle prod, also in Maryland, and officials there were anxious to re-capture him.

“Deputy Newman was able to make this arrest and take a violent predator off the streets due to his alertness and quick action,” said Sheriff Greg Champagne.

Newman, who is 30 years old, has been with the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office for four years.  He started out in Corrections and is now a deputy in the Patrol Division.  Newman resides in Luling.  He has a 7-year-old son, Bryson, and a deceased son,  Christian.