Tips from neighborhood residents led to the arrest this week of three suspects, including a 12-year-old, who St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s investigators say burglarized the Norco Booster Club concession stand twice and then trashed it.
The tips led investigators to arrest a 15-year-old New Sarpy boy and Michael W. Doherty, 18, of 253 Clayton Drive, Norco. Doherty lives several blocks from the Norco Playground concession stand.
Doherty was charged with two counts of unauthorized entry of a place of business, simple criminal damage to property and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.
The 18-year-old was arrested at his home and the juvenile turned himself in to investigators after learning a warrant had been issued, Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Dwayne LaGrange said.
Booster Club President Chris Schmidt estimates that repeated damage to the building has cost the club about $10,000 since 2000 despite installing steel shutters over the windows to prevent repeated thefts.
In two break-ins, one in January and one earlier this month, the burglars stole candy, dumped food and sprayed the walls with ketchup, authorities said.
“We got leads from the community that we were able to act on, and the tips proved to be valuable information,” LaGrange said.
A 12-year-old suspect from New Sarpy was arrested Thursday after turning himself in to authorities, LaGrange said.
The Sheriff’s Office did not release the names of the juveniles because they are minors.
The juvenile suspects were also booked with two counts of unauthorized entry of a place of business and two counts of simple criminal damage to property.
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