Montz man linked to May break-in

Published 12:11 am Wednesday, February 21, 2018

LAPLACE — A Montz man arrested last week is connected to a LaPlace residential burglary from nine months ago, police said.

Michael Joseph Smith, 22, posted bond and was released Friday.

Police linked Smith to a May 29 break-in in the 1900 block of Ridgefield Drive in LaPlace, where the resident told deputies her purse was in front of a neighbor’s fence with a credit card and other personal items missing.

“No signs of forced entry to the residence was noticed, and deputies learned the residence may have been left unsecured the day before,” a St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office release said.

“Based on investigation, detectives developed Smith as a suspect and a judicial warrant was obtained for his arrest.”

Smith is charged with simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling and was released after posting a $20,000 bond.