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LAPLACE — Ryan Joseph Modica, 27, of LaPlace, was arrested Aug. 2 after being caught on a surveillance camera burglarizing a vehicle. Modica was arrested less than an hour after the incident occurred.

At about 3:15 p.m. on Aug. 2, officers responded to the 100 block of Paula Drive in LaPlace in reference to a burglary of a motor vehicle. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the victim who reported receiving an alert from her home surveillance system. Upon checking the camera, a man, slender build, wearing a white shirt, black hooded jacket, blue jeans and a face mask was captured walking onto her property then burglarizing a vehicle parked in her driveway. Within 45 minutes of the initial call from the homeowner, officers located a man fitting the description of the suspect in the neighborhood. The subject, however, was not wearing the hooded jacket or a face mask.

Upon review of the SJSO surveillance cameras in the neighborhood, this subject was observed dropping the hooded jacket and face mask near a business in the area. Soon after, deputies made contact with the subject, identified as Modica, at a nearby residence. After confirming Modica was the subject wearing the same hooded jacket and mask in the video, he was taken into custody.

Modica was charged with simple burglary – motor vehicle. He is being held in custody in lieu of a $10,000 bond. Modica has been arrested 11 times in St. John Parish since 2012.

“This incident is a good example of why we encourage citizens to invest in a home security system,” Sheriff Mike Tregre said. “Home surveillance combined with the SJSO’s crime cameras provided vital footage that led to a quick arrest in this investigation.”

Tregre also reminds vehicle owners to always lock unattended vehicles and remove valuable items.

“Criminals look for easy targets and often attempt to burglarize unsecured vehicles,” Tregre said. “By locking your vehicle and removing valuables, residents have a much better chance of not being a victim of vehicle burglary and theft.”