ATV THEFTS ON THE RISE IN EVANGELINE PARISH

Sheriff Charles R. Guillory, of the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office releases the following:

Authorities is looking for help in the recent thefts of All Terrain Vehicles in Evangeline Parish.

On Wednesday August 19, 2020, a 2013 Green Honda ATV was taken from a homeowner on the 1000 Block of LaHaye Road.  During that same morning a local landlord was tending to one of his rent houses on the 700 block of S. Soileau and noticed what appeared to be an abandoned ATV on his property. Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office Investigators were dispatched and confirmed the ATV to be the stolen property from LaHaye Road. The ATV was confiscated and returned to its rightful owner.

While on scene, Investigators observed multiple ATVs and Dirt Bikes on a property located at the 600 Block of Edward Knotoe Thomas Jr Street in plain view. Contact was made with a person residing at the residence. Investigators received verbal as well as written consent to check and verify ownership of the ATVs and Dirt Bikes. After further investigation it was learned that the two dirt bikes on the property did not belong to the person residing at the residence. It had been reported as stolen. Both dirt bikes were confiscated and the reported one was returned to its rightful owner.

Evangeline Parish Sheriff Charles Guillory reminds the Public that it is an offense to possess or buy stolen property.

Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office would like to thank the Public for their assistance with the recovery of the ATV. This case is still under investigation at this time, and pending arrest.

Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office is always seeking information on criminal activity and urges the Public to contact the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office Investigation Department via phone at 337-363-2161 or through the agency's website at www.evangelineparishsheriff.org. Any person reporting information will always remain anonymous.