By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Two LaPlace men were booked with multiple burglary charges following a rash of incidents over the weekend in which homes and vehicles in an older section LaPlace were burglarized.

Authorities say Matthew Fugate, 25, of West Loop, and Dustin Savoie, 26, of Cardinal Street, are responsible for a string of burglaries reported in the 1400 block of Main Street Saturday. Capt. Dane Clement, spokesman for the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, said investigators have confirmed nine burglaries in the area but added that other reported incidents could be tied to the two suspects.

Clement said the Sheriff’s Office began getting calls as early as 6:40 a.m. Saturday from residents who awoke to find their homes and vehicles burglarized. He said victims reported power tools, electronic devices, guns, cash and alcohol stolen. One victim reported his truck and a utility vehicle stolen.

“In each incident reported, no forced entry was made in the vehicles, sheds or garages victimized,” Clement said. “All were unlocked or unsecured.”

The investigation into the burglaries led detectives to a residence in the 1100 block of Cardinal Street, which is adjacent to the targeted neighborhood. Clement said detectives spotted the vehicle reported stolen within a block of the home.  

From the residence, detectives arrested Fugate and Savoie. Fugate was booked with six counts of simple burglary and two counts of theft. Savoie was booked with six counts of principal to simple burglary and principal to theft. Clement said Savoie was released after posting a $35,000 bond, while Fugate is being held at the Sherman Walker Correctional Facility in LaPlace on a $68,000 bond  

Clement said the investigation is ongoing as detectives determine whether the suspects are responsible for other burglaries reported in the area over the last few months.