Numerous Ruston residents complained on social media Tuesday morning that their vehicles were burglarized during the night, barely a day after six juveniles were arrested nearby in Grambling for car burglaries and vehicle theft.
According to Grambling Police, the six juveniles ranging in age from 15 to 17 attempted to gain access to Grambling State University’s housing area. They were denied entry and told to leave the property. A short time later, an alert officer saw six juveniles attempting to access the GSU campus in a different location. When officers attempted to make contact the group, the teens fled to the Post Office rear parking lot.
Several officers from Grambling City and GSU Police Departments detained all subjects without incident. Several juveniles attempted to disarm themselves at this point. During the initial contact, officers discovered both vehicles, a 2019 Nissan Versa and a 2014 Nissan Altima, were confirmed stolen.
The six were taken into custody and charged with two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, illegal possession of stolen firearms, possession of a firearm with obliterated serial number, three counts of illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile, three counts of possession of a firearm in a school zone, and illegal possession of stolen things.
One of the six, who was wearing an ankle monitor for vehicle burglaries in another parish, was additionally charged with an outstanding warrant for obstruction of justice from another jurisdiction.
All were housed at the Jackson Parish Juvenile Center in Jonesboro.
In a press release, GPD Chief Tommy Clark said, “The collaboration and coordination between the Grambling City Police and the Grambling University Police has yielded a number of successful arrest and the removal of several firearms from the area and away from prohibited possessors. It appears that these subjects are connected to countless recent vehicle burglaries and this investigation is ongoing where more charges and arrest are pending.”
However, car burglaries continued in Ruston Monday night with victims in neighborhoods just south of Interstate 20 reporting on social media that their vehicles were entered. Among the locations mentioned were Center Street, East Maryland Avenue, Melissa Street, N. Minden Street, Standifer Avenue, and West Mississippi Avenue.
Ruston Police recently warned residents through social media to keep their car doors locked at night.