Decade prison sentence follows string of LaPlace burglaries
Published 12:14 am Saturday, June 17, 2017
- Larry Hales Jr., 26, of Gramercy pleaded guilty May 23 to 12 counts of simple burglary.
LAPLACE — A St. James Parish man is facing at least seven years in jail and then restitution efforts of two victimized LaPlace businesses, authorities said.
Larry Hales Jr., 26, of Gramercy pleaded guilty May 23 to 12 counts of simple burglary.
As part of his plea agreement, St. John District Attorney Bridget A. Dinvaut said Hales would serve four years active probation after his jail term concludes.
“The victims were consulted prior to entering into the plea, and their desires were considered in the final agreement,” Dinvaut said. “Their interests were in collecting restitution, so giving consideration of collecting any possible restitution, Mr. Hales was given a 10-year sentence, with three of those years suspended. We’re going to try to collect as much restitution from him as possible and be able to repay the victims.”
Hales was arrested Nov. 30, connected to burglaries at Plantation Pub and St. John Mini Storage, each located on or near Airline Highway in LaPlace.
Police said physical evidence recovered at Plantation Pub May 30, 2016, “was forensically matched” to Hales. Authorities had originally responded to the Carrollwood Drive watering hole following a burglary report.
Police said an employee cleaning the parking lot noticed the Pub’s front door open, and officers discovered it was forced open and a lug wrench was located on the floor.
The victim told police a safe containing cash was missing.
Hales’ other guilty pleas stem from property damage and break-ins at St. John Mini Storage on Nov. 6, 2015, when deputies noted several locks cut, fencing damaged and vehicles vandalized.
Dinvaut said Hales pleaded guilty to numerous unit break-ins.