Lake Charles firearms burglary: 4 teens charged with a crime

On April 2, a Lake Charles car burglary was reported to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office. The owner of the car noticed that two guns were missing from his vehicle, which had been unlocked at the time of the alleged thefts. Although no reasons for their conclusion were given, police officers linked a local 17-year-old to the burglary, and he was then charged with a crime in connection with the incident.

The detained teenager was already incarcerated at the Calcasieu Correctional Center after a previous arrest by the Lake Charles Police Department in connection with an alleged home burglary. In regards to the vehicle burglary, he was charged with two counts of firearm theft as well as simple burglary from a vehicle.

But police believe he did not act alone, and they subsequently arrested three other teens, two 18-year-olds and a 19-year-old, who were allegedly involved with the vehicle burglary. The three, all residents of Lake Charles, were charged with simple burglary of a vehicle, as well as two counts of firearm theft. Bonds were set at $15,000 each.

While the four young adults have been each charged with a crime, this doesn’t necessarily mean they are guilty. Indeed, the law presumes just the opposite. However, if the men are convicted, they could face significant jail time, potential fines, community service, probation or combination of these possibilities. Each accused person would do well to focus on the specific allegations against them in order to present a vigorous defense that both protects their legal rights and seeks a fair and favorable result.

Source: KPLC 7 News, “Four accused in Lake Charles vehicle burglary,” Kadi Hanes, April 16, 2012