WALKER POLICE APPREHEND CHURCH BURGLARS Walker Police Officers arrested four men in connection with the May 23, 2013 burglary of Walker Baptist Church, according to Captain John Sharp, Walker Police Public Information Officer. Three of the men were also arrested for a residential burglary in Walker that occurred on May 14, 2013 at a home on Pendarvis Lane. “Arrested for Simple Burglary of a Religious Building were Matthew LeRoy (19) of Walker, Justin Kent Slinker (18) of Walker, Christopher Allen Parker (19) of Walker and Tarence Fisher (20) of Walker,” Captain Sharp reported. “Mr. LeRoy, Mr. Slinker and Mr. Parker were also charged with Simple Burglary in connection with an earlier residential burglary.” LeRoy, Slinker and Parker were arrested on June 6th and Fisher was arrested on June 7th. Following report of the Walker Baptist Church burglary, Walker Officers began an intensive effort to identify those who were responsible. “In the course of the investigation, our Detectives and officers obtained forensic evidence from the crime scene, including finger prints, shoe prints & DNA,” Captain Sharp stated. “Walker police also questioned nearly 30 people in an effort to identify the offenders.” That hard work paid off and police got a break in the case last week that led them to the individuals arrested. Walker Lieutenant Chris Dufour, the Detective overseeing the investigation explained that the arrest of the four men led to the resolution of a residential burglary that occurred in Walker on May 14th. “It is not uncommon to make an arrest in a burglary, and find that the offenders have been involved in other burglaries as well,” Dufour said. “In this case, once we were able to get the suspects talking, they admitted that three of them had been involved in a residential burglary a week earlier. Working with Detective Joey Smith of the Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Town of Livingston Police Department, various items of stolen property were located that we believe will help clear some burglaries they are handling as well.” Dufour credited Walker Officers Mark Ubas, James Dipuma, Christopher Gunter and Laura Jenkins for their efforts that led to the quick resolution of the church burglary. “These officers worked diligently to resolve this case,” said Dufour. “We are very fortunate to have such talented, dedicated individuals as a part of our police force here in Walker.” Among the stolen property recovered was the church safe, found with its door forced open. “The safe taken from the church was recovered, but unfortunately the door had been breached,” Captain Sharp reported. “Although certain documents and other items from the safe have been located, none of the cash taken from the church has been recovered.” Sharp added that the investigation remains ongoing and that additional charges and additional arrests are possible. Following their arrests, the four men were booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center on the burglary charges. “Mr. Slinker was released on a $40,000.00 bond,” Captain Sharp said. “Mr. Parker remains in custody, with bond set at $50,000, and Mr. Fisher is in custody with bond set at $25,000. Mr. LeRoy remains in custody with bond set at $267,500.” The higher amount of LeRoy’s bond is the result of additional charges added upon his arrest which are unrelated to the burglaries.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 01:07:46 +0000