Laplace man arrested during the burglary of a business

Published 1:26 pm Wednesday, January 4, 2023

On Sunday, January 1, 2023, St. John Sheriff’s Department was called out to a business for a suspicious person trespassing on the property. When deputies arrived on scene, they spoke to an employee of the business and learned that no one was supposed to be at the business that day. Deputies canvassed the area and located a male subject on the property. The male was later identified as Wesley Powe of Laplace. As deputies located Powe and announced they were deputies, he tried to run and flee the area. Powe also began to strike deputies once he was caught. After resisting deputies, Powe was detained and taken into custody. In Powe’s possession was a backpack that contained items commonly used in the crime of burglary such as a flashlight and multiple pairs of cutting pliers.

Powe was booked on the charges of Unauthorized Entry of a Place of Business (Felony), Simple Criminal Damage To Property – $1000-$50,000 (Felony), Resisting An Officer By Flight (Misd), Resisting An Officer W/Force Or Violence (Felony), Theft – $1000 – $5,000 (Felony), Possession Of Tools For A Crime (Felony). Powe is being held in custody in lieu of $54,000 bond.

Since 2009, Powe has been arrested 16 times for various charges including theft and narcotic charges.