LAPLACE – In the early morning hours of Dec. 31, St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 2400 block of Hebert Drive in LaPlace for the report of a burglary of a residence in progress.

A caller reported that they heard a loud noise and saw someone walking in their neighbor’s house with a flashlight.

When deputies arrived at the residence, they saw a shattered window and the backdoor ajar.  Deputies saw a light shining through a window and called for the suspect in the house to come out. The suspect did not respond, and a K-9 was sent into the residence and seized the suspect.

The targeted house was vacant because of a recent fire.

Deputies identified the suspect as Kewain Tripps, 22, of Williamsburg Drive in LaPlace. Tripps was arrested and booked with simple burglary of an immovable structure, simple criminal damage to property and resisting an officer. He was also booked with parole violation and on an outstanding judicial court ordered arrest warrant for second-degree battery in an unrelated incident.

Tripps remains in custody in lieu of a $32,500 bond. He has been arrested 14 times in St. John the Baptist Parish since May 2008.