Two minibikes returned to store

By ROBIN SHANNON

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – Three LaPlace teens were arrested Sunday in connection with a burglary and theft of two minibikes at a local retail outlet.

St. John Sheriff’s Spokesperson Maj. Mike Tregre said deputies responded to a silent alarm, triggered around 9:20 p.m. Sunday, at the Adobe Western Store at 150 Belle Terre Blvd. in LaPlace. A search of the premises indicated that forced entry had been made through the rear door where a crowbar was used.

Tregre said a keyholder for the store was requested to the scene where it was discovered the two bikes, one valued at $900, the other at $700, were missing from the store’s inventory.

One of the bikes was discovered about an hour later when Officer Jason Triche, patrolling the area of Madewood Drive and Bayonne Drive, observed one of the teens riding the bike at a high rate of speed. Tregre said when Cpl. Triche approached, the teen dropped the bike and fled the scene. As Triche chased the subject, the other suspects involved also began to run away.

Tregre said the subjects, aged 12, 14 and 15, were detained and questioned at the Sheriff’s Office. He said all three confessed to their involvement in the burglary.

The mother of the 14-year-old contacted the Sheriff’s office after the arrest of her son to advise that she located the other missing bike in her garage.

Tregre said the 15-year-old was released to his parents. The other two subjects remain in custody in the St. James Juvenile Detention Center.