By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — A string of brazen home break-ins across St. John and St. Charles Parishes has focused law enforcement’s attention to arresting a suspect before someone is seriously hurt or killed.

St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre said Tuesday morning authorities are actively working leads in the cases, using video surveillance in an attempt to make an arrest.

Tregre said it’s obvious from the assailant’s pattern of wearing a mask and gloves that he is very evidence conscientious, adding investigators think he may be on parole.

St. Charles Parish Capt. Patrick Yoes said his department is working with St. John authorities to determine connections between the many cases, acknowledging the violent crimes could turn worse.

“There is certainly a possibility someone could get hurt,” Yoes said.

Four home burglaries and one attempted break-in have law enforcement authorities in the River Region urging residents to be aware of their surroundings at all times.

The five reported incidents started in October, with the last four spanning the course of just two weeks in neighboring St. John and St. Charles Parishes.

“Whoever is (committing the crimes) — the way he’s carrying out the crime — he’s committed crime before,” Tregre said. “He’s trying to make sure he’s not caught again.”

In the latest incident, St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded at 8:04 p.m. Sunday to a residence in the 100 block of Oakland Court in Garyville for the report of a home invasion.

The 30-year-old female victim told deputies she had just arrived home and set the home alarm system when, just moments later, she heard the alarm activate and saw a man dressed in all black clothing standing in the rear door.

The victim told authorities she ran into her daughter’s bedroom, locked them both in the room and called 911 for help.

Authorities said the suspect left the residence prior to the arrival of responding deputies, and a search of the area for the suspect was to no avail.

No one was injured and nothing reported stolen, authorizes said, adding the intruder attempted to enter the bedroom door but was unsuccessful.

Tregre said St. John Parish authorities are investigating the possibility the suspect or suspects may be following people home before committing the home robberies.

“If you think you’re being followed, don’t drive home,” Tregre said, adding residents should call 911 and continue to drive or go to the best well-lit area available.

“You should be safe in your own home,” Tregre said, “but times have changed. Criminals have changed, and we have to adapt (to these suspects) who are feeding off of us who are good, hard-working citizens.”

On Thursday a New Sarpy man was arrested and other suspects are being sought following an attempted break-in in St. Rose.

St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne said at approximately 10:48 p.m. unknown subjects attempted to break into a residence in the 300 block of Oak Street in St. Rose, but were unsuccessful due to furniture blocking the interior door of the residence.

Rodric J. Shorts of New Sarpy was arrested, and authorities reported he was the driver of the vehicle in the burglary.

Champagne said other subjects fled the scene, and authorities believe there may be a connection between the St. Rose burglary and a Destrehan armed robbery Dec. 4.

In that case, Champagne said an unknown male entered a Destrehan residence in the 100 block of Villere Drive through the back door and pointed a gun at a man and woman in the house.

The suspect was described as a black male, approximately five-feet, eight-inches tall and weighing around 140 pounds. Authorities said the suspect was wearing a black ski mask, a grey jacket and white gloves.

That physical description matches the one of a suspect in an Oct. 16 break-in in the 300 block of Central Avenue in Reserve, where the 41-year-old female victim told St. John deputies she did not close the door completely after arriving home, and when she turned around she saw a man with a knife telling her to keep quiet.

The victim told deputies the suspect was about five-feet, eight-inches tall, black and had a medium build. He was wearing blue work shirt and pants.

Another home burglary on the same block of Central Avenue in Reserve is under investigation as well, where St. John deputies responded at 8:16 p.m. Dec. 10 after an armed man with a gun assaulted a 55-year-old Reserve woman in her home, striking her and forcing her into a bathroom.

Authorities said the victim identified the suspect as a black man wearing a dark jacket. Tregre said the suspect gained entry to the residence through an open kitchen window, and made it out of the house with $20.

Tregre said in addition to being aware of their surroundings, residents should take full advantage of any available alarm systems.

“Alarms are great,” Tregre said. “And surveillance systems are even better.”

Tregre said additional safety tips can be found at stjohnsheriff.org/safetytips.php.

Anyone with information regarding the St. John Parish home invasions is encouraged to call the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office TIPS line at 985-359-TIPS or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111. Tips can also be submitted online at stjohnsheriff.org/submitatip.php.

Anyone with any information on the incidents in St. Charles Parish is asked to contact the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office or Crimestoppers at 1-877-903-STOP. Officials said callers do not have to give their name or testify and could receive up to $5,000.