Members of St. Rose car burglary ring plead guilty

Three people that were arrested for taking part in a St. Rose vehicle burglary ring pled guilty last week before Judge Emile St. Pierre.

Carl Rabito Jr., 18, Jessica Barnes, 22, and Britni Clark, 20, were arrested in June after seven vehicles were broken into in St. Rose’s Bar None subdivision. Thousands of dollars of merchandise was stolen during the burglaries, including GPS units, an iPod, a portable radio, a camera and even a handgun.

St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne said that several of his deputies and detectives worked non-stop over a 72-hour period to make the arrests.

“I am pleased to report that it appears another theft ring has been broken up,” Champagne said.

Rabito pled guilty to three counts of simple burglary and received a 10-year sentence. Clark also pled guilty to three counts of simple burglary and received a five-year suspended sentence. She was placed on active probation for five years with a recommendation for drug court.

Barnes pled guilty to possession of Loratab. In exchange for her plea, she received a five-year suspended sentence and was placed on active probation for five years with a recommendation for drug court.

All of the stolen merchandise was removed from unlocked vehicles. Champagne said that vehicle burglaries are probably the most preventable crime since residents can just lock them to deter thieves.