By Wesley Harris
Three men have been arrested following an extensive investigation into several recent Ruston vehicle burglaries and the theft of two pickup trucks.
“Our investigators have worked tirelessly to identify the people responsible for the recent series of stolen vehicles and vehicle burglaries,” said Ruston Police Chief Eric Watson. “Their dedication has led to significant progress in these cases, and they have done a fantastic job.”
RPD Lt. Kayla Loyd said Jakiem Jackson, 21, of Ruston; Jaden Shelbon, 17; and German Locks, 18, of Farmerville, have been taken into custody on numerous charges as the investigation has progressed.
Two vehicles were stolen and several other vehicles burglarized over the weekend of June 7. Loyd said a pickup truck was stolen from Tech Farm Road and then apparently used in the theft of a second truck on Mimosa Drive off Cooktown Road.
According to the owner of the Dodge truck stolen on Mimosa Drive, the vehicle contained a Glock pistol, a .410 shotgun, a wallet and power tools. The keys had been left in the truck taken from Tech Farm Road.
Loyd said four vehicle burglaries occurred in northwest Ruston on Mimosa Drive and Church Street. A video provided to police showed the Tech Farm Road truck in the vicinity of the second vehicle theft and the vehicle burglaries.
On the afternoon of June 15, Ruston Police patrol officers conducted a traffic stop after observing a traffic violation. During the stop, an officer noticed the driver, identified as Jackson, exhibiting signs of nervous behavior. After speaking with the driver, consent was granted to search the vehicle. During the search, the officer immediately saw a handgun inside the vehicle.
As the officer attempted to walk toward Jackson to ask him about the handgun, Jackson fled on foot. Following a brief foot pursuit, Jackson was apprehended and taken into custody without further incident.
The firearm recovered from the vehicle was entered into law enforcement databases and determined to have been stolen during a vehicle burglary that occurred May 20 on Willow Glen Drive in Ruston.
As a result of the recovery of the stolen firearm, investigators obtained and executed search warrants at Jackson’s primary residence and an additional residence with assistance from the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office. During the execution of the search warrants, investigators recovered an additional firearm, a handgun magazine and various other items.
Additionally, a residential burglary occurred May 25 at Twin Lakes Apartments on West Alabama Avenue. Investigators identified two individuals involved in the burglary and subsequently obtained arrest warrants.
On June 6, Shelbon was arrested on a warrant related to the residential burglary after being identified as an occupant of a vehicle stopped by Louisiana State Police.
Further investigation identified Locks as another suspect in the residential burglary. Investigators also developed information indicating Locks was involved in an ongoing sexual relationship with a juvenile and may have been connected to a recent series of vehicle burglaries and vehicle thefts in the area.
Investigators with the Ruston Police Criminal Investigations Division, assisted by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office and Union Parish Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant at Locks’ residence in Farmerville. During the search, investigators recovered numerous items reported stolen during recent Ruston vehicle burglaries, as well as property taken from one of the recently stolen vehicles. Among the recovered items was a firearm that was stolen during a vehicle burglary on Pennington Lane.
The Ruston Police Department continues to actively investigate the recent vehicle burglaries and auto thefts, Loyd said. Additional arrests are anticipated as the investigation continues.
Jackson was taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center and booked on two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, two counts of possession of a stolen firearm, one count of resisting an officer and additional traffic charges.
Shelbon was booked into the Union Parish Detention Center and then transferred to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center, where he was booked on one count of simple burglary of an immovable.
Locks was booked into the Union Parish Detention Center for possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I controlled substance, illegal possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a stolen firearm. He will eventually be transferred to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center and booked on charges of simple burglary of an immovable and carnal knowledge of a juvenile.
“We would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office and Union Parish Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this case and their help in working together to keep our community safe,” Loyd said.
“Strong partnerships and cooperation among agencies are essential to public safety, and this collaborative effort reflects the level of service and commitment our community deserves,” Watson said.
Watson asked for the public’s help in curtailing crimes like these.
“We would also like to remind everyone of the importance of securing your vehicles and practicing responsible firearm ownership,” Watson said. “Unlocked vehicles can become easy targets for criminals, and firearms left unsecured inside vehicles may be stolen and later used in the commission of other crimes. Taking a few simple precautions can help prevent these incidents and protect our community.”
Previous reports from RPD indicated some of the vehicle burglaries and vehicle thefts connected to this case involved unlocked vehicles and vehicles with the keys left inside.
Anyone with information related to these incidents is encouraged to contact the Ruston Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 318-255-4141.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
