UPDATE: Two arrests have been made in multiple vehicle burglaries in Maurice.
With the assistance of one of the victims, an item reported stolen was able to be tracked to a residence in Abbeville, according to Sheriff Mike Couvillon. Through the investigation, several stolen items were able to be located at the residence and surrounding areas. One of the suspects was able to be identified as Keon Woods, 23, of Lafayette.
On December 6, 2018, Woods turned himself in on an outstanding warrant in reference to the incidents. Woods was booked into the Vermilion Parish Jail on nine counts of simple burglary and one count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Total bond on Woods is $95,000.
Andrea Hewitt,19, was also arrested and booked into the Vermilion Parish Jail on nine counts of principal to simple burglary, one count of principal to unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, one count of obstruction of justice, one count of illegal possession of stolen things, and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. Total bond on Hewitt is $100,000.
The investigation is ongoing an additional arrest may be forthcoming.
Finally, Sheriff Couvillon asks everyone to secure your vehicles when not in use.
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The Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office is continuing an investigation into eight vehicle burglaries and a vehicle theft in the Maurice area. Officers say that the vehicles in these cases were all left unlocked.
According to Vermilion Parish Sheriff Mike Couvillon on Monday, December 3, 2018, the Sheriff’s Office responded to a total of eight vehicle burglaries in the Maurice area of Vermilion Parish.
Residents in La Premiere Subdivision, Wilson Rd, Placide Rd, Kennel Rd, and Sage Mackenzie Road were victimized in these burglaries. These locations are all in the same general vicinity.
Video surveillance provided by one victim shows that that shortly after 12:00 am on Monday morning, two individuals wearing masks and gloves enter the victim’s unsecured vehicle in search of valuables.
Two pistols, a laptop, GPS, checkbook, money and two wallets were reported stolen as a result of these eight vehicle burglaries.
Sheriff Couvillon also indicated that a pick-up truck was also stolen from La Premiere Subdivision during the course of these vehicle burglaries but has since been recovered.
Detectives are currently following up on information and are attempting to identify and locate the persons responsible for these crimes.
Couvillon strongly urges residents to take the following actions to avoid becoming a victim in these types of crimes:
- Lock all vehicles when not in use, at all times.
- Remove all valuables from vehicles and secure inside homes.
- Do not leave valuables in plain view and unsecured in yards.
- Lock your homes at all times when leaving and at all times during the night.
- Consider installing recorded video surveillance and/or alarm system (could be very valuable when something happens).
- Call the Sheriff’s office on any suspicious vehicles or person in the neighborhood ALWAYS.
- Watch each other’s homes and property closely, reporting anything suspicious.
If you have any information regarding these crimes you are urged to contact the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division at 898-4403
