Burglar kicks in door; LaPlace suspect arrested

Published 10:20 am Tuesday, February 3, 2015

LAPLACE — A local man was jailed Monday for a LaPlace break-in, and authorities believe the suspect may be responsible for other crimes.

St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a residence on Ridgewood Drive in LaPlace at 12:33 p.m. Monday.

Deputies entered the residence and found the perpetrator in a bedroom with three pieces of jewelry in his possession, a release from Sgt. Dane Clement said.

Deputies identified the suspect as Corey Smith, 24, of Oakpoint Drive in LaPlace.

A 55-year-old female victim told deputies she heard knocking at her door and looked out the window, but because she did not recognize the man she did not open the door.

The victim said she saw the man walk to the rear of the residence and look through a window. After calling 911 for help, she grabbed her 7-month-old grandson, locked herself and him in the bathroom and waited for deputies to arrive.

“The perpetrator began kicking and beating on the back door, causing it to break open,” Clement said. “The victim remained calm, allowing deputies to catch the perpetrator. No one was injured.”

Investigators suspect Smith and others are responsible for other daytime burglaries that occurred in St. John Parish, authorities said, adding Smith is “an admitted heroin addict and is currently on probation for committing the same type of criminal acts in Jefferson Parish.”

Deputies booked Smith with aggravated burglary, simple criminal damage to property and violation of probation/parole.

He remains in custody in lieu of a $51,000 bond and a probation/parole hold.