LAPLACE — With illegal and dangerous ATV use in the spotlight, St. John authorities announced this week they are seeking the public’s help locating a suspect linked to thousands of dollars of vandalism to a local golf course.

Representatives of Belle Terre Country Club in LaPlace observed damage to the golf course March 19, with a subsequent St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office investigation determining the damage was consistent with tire marks from an all terrain vehicle.

“It appeared someone had been riding around in tight circles on a vehicle, resulting in the circular tire marks, reminiscent of doughnuts, on top of the green area that caused the damage,” a Sheriff’s Office release said.

Detectives said Dylan Zimmerman, 18, of LaPlace and Derrick Bertrand, 19, of Reserve were on the golf course March 18, with police saying Zimmerman damaged the green area “by doing doughnuts on a four wheeler.”

Zimmerman was booked with criminal damage to property $500-$50,000 and criminal trespassing. Bertrand was issued a misdemeanor summons for trespassing.

Zimmerman was released April 26 on a $5,500 bond.

Detectives said they are seeking information on a third subject who may have been involved in the golf course damage, asking anyone with information on the vandalism to call the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office TIPS line at 985-359-TIPS or SJSO dispatch at 985-652- 6338.

In related news St. John Parish deputies conducted a traffic stop March 18 on two individuals riding four-wheelers at a high rate of speed in the area of Greenwood Drive in LaPlace.

The drivers, Zimmerman and Bertrand, were cited due to reckless operation, with both ATVs towed. Police said the golf course damage took place before the traffic stops.