Lake Charles, LA –
On June 10 at approximately 4:00 a.m. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the areas of E. Gauthier Road and Tom Hebert Road in Lake Charles in reference to several vehicle burglaries occurring in the area. During the initial investigation deputies were given a description of the car possibly responsible for the burglaries.
A short time later deputies located a car matching the description in the area of Gulf Highway in Lake Charles, at which time they conducted a stop on the car. Deputies made contact with the three occupants, James S. O’Neal III, 18, a 16 year old juvenile, and a 17 year old juvenile, all of Crowley. During the investigation detectives learned the 17 year old had an active warrant through Crowley Police Department for attempted 1st degree murder. During a subsequent search of the car deputies located a total of 4 firearms; one of which had been previously reported stolen through Jennings Police Department and another which had been stolen earlier that morning during the vehicle burglaries in south Lake Charles.
During further investigation it was discovered the suspects had traveled from Crowley to Lake Charles to commit the vehicle burglaries, and had been armed when they committed the crimes.
All three suspects were arrested and charged with 2 counts of simple burglary; 2 counts of theft under $1,000; 2 counts of possession of a stolen firearm; and theft of a firearm. The juveniles were additionally charged with 2 counts of possession of a handgun by a juvenile. O’Neal was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and the juveniles were booked into the Juvenile Detention Center. Bonds have not yet been set.
The investigation is continuing and more charges are possible.
CPSO Detective Warner Levy is the lead investigator on this case.