St. John the Baptist Sheriff's officers arrested one man and are looking for another in connection with a break-in and theft of equipment from a Laplace business area.
Officers say on June 28, 2012 a two-toned maroon and tan pickup truck pulling a utility trailer pulled up to Sunshine Equipment at 100 Circle Drive.
Authorities say surveillance video from the business shows two men using bolt cutters to get onto the property and load stolen items on their trailer.
Three John Deere self-propelled lawn mowers, valued at $500 each, and two John Deere Z225 Zero turn radius lawn mowers, valued at $2,899 each, were taken from Sunshine Equipment.
St. John Sheriff's Office set up its own surveillance of the business on the night of July 10th. According to Sheriff Mike Tregre, an officer says he spotted a vehicle matching the description of the truck used in the June 28th burglary. The deputy says he then saw one suspect carrying bolt cutters and cut the lock on the gate to get inside. He called for assistance and officers converged.
Officers arrested Larry Bratton from the Avondale area. The other man got away. St. John Sheriff's officers are looking for Bryant Shelvin, also from the Avondale area.
Anyone coming into contact with Shelvin or knows where he might be is asked to call the nearest law enforcement agency or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.
Officers say Sunshine Equipment has been burglarized five times in the last month. Two of the incidents are blamed on juveniles. Deputies have arrested two of the juveniles, one is at large.
The St. John Sheriff's Office says its recovered $93,000 worth of stolen property regarding the Sunshine Equipment burglaries.
Wanted: Bryant Shelvin (Photo courtesy: St. John Parish Sheriff's Office)
