UPDATE APRIL 23, 2019
LAKE CHARLES, La. – A second suspect has been arrested in a string of vehicle burglaries along the I-10 corridor.
On March 23 at 9:30 p.m. the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) Vehicle Crimes Investigation (VCIU) detectives were dispatched to a bingo hall on Highway 109 in Vinton in reference to 36 vehicle burglaries where the suspects broke the windows to gain access into the vehicles; stealing items such as guns, wallets, purses, jewelry, and backpacks.
When detectives arrived they reviewed security camera footage from the business, as well as, businesses located nearby and observed a white Nissan Rogue enter the parking lot where the burglaries occurred, according to Kim Myers, spokesperson for CPSO. Detectives then observed a man exit the vehicle and use a tool to break the windows of the vehicles. Detectives were able to obtain a license plate number on the car and learned it headed into Texas a short time after the vehicle burglaries occurred.
Several days later CPSO VCIU detectives were contacted by Rayne Police Department advising they were working two vehicle burglary cases involving the same Nissan Rogue. On March 27 VCIU detectives received a call from Crowley Police Department, who are also working possible related vehicle burglaries, advising detectives they had been in contact with Houston Police Department and the Nissan was involved in a traffic stop. Authorities in Houston identified the driver as Daniel White, 22, Houston, Texas; who they arrested for unrelated charges, stated Myers. CPSO VCIU detectives traveled to Houston and spoke with White, who stated he was in Louisiana in the Nissan Rouge on the day of the burglaries, but did not want to answer any other questions without consulting an attorney. The following day White was transported to Rayne Police Department and booked into the Acadia jail where he was charged with two vehicle burglaries.
After further investigation on March 29, VCIU detectives issued a warrant for White’s arrest signed by Judge Sharon Wilson. He is charged with 36 counts of simple burglary; 36 counts of simple criminal damage to property; 13 counts of theft under $1,000; 2 counts of theft of a firearm; and theft from $1,000 to $5,000. His bond is set at $430,500. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office has placed a detainer on White for the vehicle burglaries he committed in Vinton.
After further investigation VCIU detectives were able to identify another suspect, Bryan A. Serrano, 20, Houston, TX; who was also responsible for the burglary and thefts. After further investigation on April 16 Judge Michael Canaday signed a warrant in the amount of $725,000 for Serrano’s arrest. He is charged with 36 counts of simple burglary; 36 counts of simple criminal damage to property; 13 counts of theft under $1,000; 2 counts of theft of a firearm; and theft from $1,000 to $5,000. Serrano was arrested by Houston Police Department yesterday. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office will place a detainer on him for the vehicle burglaries he committed in Vinton.
Along with Rayne and Crowley Police Departments, the Louisiana State Police, Houston Police Department Nightshift Crime Suppressant Team, and Harris County Sheriff’s Office assisted CPSO detectives on these cases.
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Several warrants have been issued and one arrest has been made in connection with a string of vehicle burglaries at businesses along I-10 in Louisiana.
The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) held a press conference today to discuss the burglaries and the suspects connected to those burglaries.
On March 8 at 8:00 p.m., CPSO Vehicle Crimes Investigation (VCIU) detectives were dispatched to Planet Fitness on Ryan Street in Lake Charles in reference to eight vehicles in the parking lot that had been burglarized.
On the scene, detectives say they spoke with the victims and learned all the vehicles had been damaged by the suspects either busting the windows or damaging the door handles to gain access into the vehicles and stole numerous items including purses, wallets, laptops, and backpacks, Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso stated in the press conference. A victim’s credit cards had been used at a store in Lake Charles to purchase a gift card, according to investigators. Using video surveillance deputies identified one of the suspects as 21-year-old Anthony Carmichael of Houston. Detectives say they learned the gift card was used in the Houston area. With the assistance of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and the Houston Police Department detectives were able to identify another suspect as 21-year-old Kevin B. Wallace of Houston.
On March 27, detectives issued warrants for the arrest of Carmichael and Wallace.
- Carmichael is wanted on the following charges: eight counts of simple burglary of a vehicle; seven counts of simple criminal property damage; eight counts of theft; and unauthorized use of an access card. His bond is set at $46,000.
- Wallace is wanted on the following charges: seven counts of simple burglary of a vehicle; seven counts of simple criminal property damage; and four counts of theft. His bond is set at $53,000.
On March 23 at 9:30 p.m., Calcasieu Parish detectives were called to a bingo hall on Highway 109 in Vinton in reference to 36 vehicle burglaries. where the suspects broke the windows to gain access into the vehicles; stealing items such as guns, wallets, purses, jewelry, and backpacks.
When detectives arrived they reviewed security camera footage from the business, as well as, businesses located nearby and observed a white Nissan Rogue enter the parking lot where the burglaries occurred. Detectives then observed a man exit the vehicle and use a tool to break the windows of the vehicles. Detectives were able to obtain a license plate number on the car and learned it headed into Texas a short time after the vehicle burglaries occurred.
Several days later CPSO VCIU detectives were contacted by Rayne Police Department advising they were working two vehicle burglary cases involving the same Nissan Rogue. On March 27 VCIU detectives received a call from Crowley Police Department, who are also working possible related vehicle burglaries, advising detectives they had been in contact with Houston Police Department and the Nissan was involved in a traffic stop. Authorities in Houston identified the driver as Daniel White, 22, of Houston, Texas; who they arrested for unrelated charges. CPSO VCIU detectives traveled to Houston and spoke with White, who stated he was in Louisiana in the Nissan Rouge on the day of the burglaries, but did not want to answer any other questions without consulting an attorney.
After further investigation on March 29, VCIU detectives issued a warrant for White’s arrest signed by Judge Sharon Wilson.
- White is charged with 36 counts of simple burglary; 36 counts of simple criminal damage to property; 13 counts of theft under $1,000; two counts of theft of a firearm; and theft from $1,000 to $5,000. His bond is set at $430,500.
Along with Rayne and Crowley Police Departments, the Louisiana State Police, Houston Police Department Nightshift Crime Suppressant Team, and Harris County Sheriff’s Office assisted CPSO detectives on these cases.
On March 24 CPSO VCIU detectives were dispatched to SPAR (Sulphur Parks & Recreation) on Parish Road in Sulphur in reference to two vehicles having their windows shattered and the victims’ belongings taken.
During their investigation detectives obtained surveillance footage from the business which showed a white Tahoe pull into the parking lot next to the victims’ vehicles. Detectives then observed a man exit the Tahoe and run up to the two vehicles in the parking lot that detectives later learned had been burglarized.
On March 26, detectives received a call from League City Police Department stating their agency was involved in a vehicle pursuit with a white Tahoe. They then advised detectives they arrested three men; identified as Marrice Ellis, 29, Travis Ward, 29, and Zachary Brooks, 21, all of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. After a search of the SUV they found property that belonged to one of the victims from the vehicle burglary that occurred in Sulphur. VCIU detectives were also advised by the League City PD that all three subjects were tied to the “Felony Lane Gang,” from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and are known to travel interstates targeting gyms, parks, recreational centers, and parking lots for vehicle burglaries.
After further investigation on April 2, VCIU detectives issued warrants for Ellis, Ward, and Brooks’ arrests signed by Judge Clayton Davis.
- Ellis, Ward and Brooks were arrested on charges of two counts of simple burglary and theft less than $1,000, and two counts of simple criminal damage to property less than $1,000. Their bonds are all set at $21,000.
In the Lake Charles and Vinton vehicle burglaries, detectives believe there are more suspects. The investigations are continuing and more arrests are likely.
