Ruston Police have arrested four men in connection recent vehicle burglaries, including two caught Friday morning after a call from security at a gated community.
Da’Marvion J. Wimberly, 22, and Ofari K. Berry, 25, were arrested on two counts of simple burglary of a vehicle Friday morning.
Ruston Police responded to the Tanyard Creek Student Housing Community off West Barnett Springs Avenue early Friday morning to investigate vehicle burglaries in progress.
A security officer at Tanyard Creek told officers he was monitoring a video system when he saw two men dressed in black burglarizing cars. The two suspects were last seen running toward West Barnett Springs Avenue.
RPD patrol officers located Berry and Wimberly on foot. Their shoes were covered in mude. Berry’s car was located in Tanyard Creek. A firearm was found on the front seat.
Berry is also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Wimberly was also booked on a warrant for failure to appear in court on a previous case.
Justin Canada, 19, and Noah A. Cagle, 18, were arrested after an investigation tied them to the spate of vehicle break-ins during the weekend of March 15-16. Chief Steve Rogers said about 50 vehicle burglaries were reported on the north side of Ruston after that weekend. Money, electronics, and firearms were among the items stolen from unlocked vehicles, Rogers said.
Police arrested Cagle and Canada Thursday evening at their E. Florida Avenue residence. They were booked for theft of a motor vehicle and seven counts of simple burglary of a vehicle. Bail was set for each man at $170,000.
The bail amount for Berry and Wimberly was not available at publication time.
Police continue to urge residents to lock their vehicles and remove valuables. None of the recent thefts occurred from locked vehicles.
Anyone with information regarding the burglaries or with video camera footage of possible suspects is asked to contact the Ruston Police at 318-255-4141 or Crimestoppers of Lincoln Parish at 318-255-1111.
