Stolen ATV is recovered

On 2-12-24, Detectives of the Criminal Investigation Division with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office was contacted by the CID Commander and advised that a St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office Detective contacted the Patrol Seargent with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office and advised him that a confidential informant had told him that a four-wheeler stolen in St. Landry Parish was in Evangeline Parish and at a residence on the Chatagnier road and he would like Deputies to go and try to find it.

Detectives went and met with the Patrol units responding to a residence located at the 5900 Blk. of Chataignier Road. Upon arrival, Deputies met with a subject residing there. That subject allowed Deputies to go into two storage containers on the property which possibly contained a stolen four-wheeler but non were observed.

Deputies later learned there was an address on St. Julien Road and that the stolen four-wheeler might be there. Upon arrival at the 1000 Blk. St. Julien Road, Deputies received consent to search from the homeowners. The homeowners allowed Deputies to search the residence and even helped Deputies look for VIN numbers. During the search, Deputies found a red Honda TRX90 four-wheeler stolen from the Eunice area along with several other four-wheelers that are still awaiting confirmation as being stolen.

After interviewing the home owner (Tim Stelly W/M DOB 9/27/1982 of Ville Platte) took full responsibility for having the stolen four-wheeler. He was then placed under arrest for Possession of Stolen Things and is currently being heled in the Evangeline Parish Jail with a $35,000.00 bond. Lacey Miller was also placed under arrest for an unrelated St. Landry Parish warrant. She also resides at the above-mentioned address. This investigation is still ongoing and other arrests are possible.

As always, Sheriff Charles R. Guillory and the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office is seeking information on criminal activity and urges the public to contact their Investigation Department via phone at 337-363-2161 or through the agency's website at www.evangelineparishsheriff.org. Any person reporting information will remain anonymous. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.