ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. — Two men from Mississippi were arrested in connection to more than 10 vehicle burglaries in St. Tammany Parish the sheriff said.
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith says the unlocked vehicles were burglarized last week in the Bluffs neighborhood near Slidell.
Sheriff Smith says one of the men responsible, Grant Johnson of Picayune was located by detectives Thursday morning after an approximate two-hour search. He was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center.
The second suspect Sheriff Smith said was identified by STPSO Burglary Unit detectives as Matthew Loveless. Detectives found him late Friday night at a Picayune-area residence and was booked into the Pearl River County Jail as a fugitive out of St. Tammany.
Sheriff Smith says five firearms were taken during the burglaries. Detectives have recovered two of those guns but believe the rest have already been traded for illegal narcotics.
All of the vehicles burglarized had been left unlocked, and detectives believe there may be more victims who have not made a report.
“Vehicle burglaries are crimes of opportunity,” Sheriff Smith said. “No matter how quick of a trip you may be making or how safe your neighborhood is, it is imperative to always lock your car doors and to never leave firearms or valuables in your vehicle.”
Anyone who believes they may be the victim of an unreported vehicle burglary in the Bluff’s neighborhood is asked to contact the STPSO Burglary Unit at (985) 726-7832.
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