Chief Lartigue warns against juvenile crime

Chief Neal Lartigue reports juvenile arrest for multiple crimes and issues safety warning.

On September 8, 2022, a 16 year old juvenile has been arrested for the third time by the Ville Platte Police Department. Today’s arrest was on the charge of 5 counts of simple burglary. The charges stem from an investigation of 5 vehicles that were broken into. .
The same juvenile was arrested by the Ville Platte Police Department for other crimes on different occasions. One recent arrest was for home invasion. The juvenile is also a suspect in other ongoing investigations and will be facing the charge of aggravated battery and armed robbery as well as other possible charges.

Chief Lartigue stated that in more than one incident the juvenile was reported to have a weapon and has assaulted older and elderly citizens. It is reported that he has also entered homes and vehicles. Remember that if you are able to go in groups of two or three people, it will be safer for you. Leave nothing in view inside your vehicle. Lock vehicles and the doors to your homes.

Chief Lartigue would like to issue a warning to the citizens of Ville Platte and surrounding areas. “Although we repeatedly arrest this juvenile for multiple offenses, the Louisiana Juvenile laws require us to release the juvenile to his parents.” Chief Lartigue continued, “This means that this person is NOT in custody at this time and should be considered armed and dangerous.”

The Ville Platte Police Department is working diligently to make our streets safer and we ask that you continue to report suspicious activities and suspicious people. Please call 337-363-1313 or 911 immediately if you need assistance.