Three linked to firearms burglary in Iowa, La.

Published 12:52 pm Friday, August 20, 2021

Three men have been linked to the June 3 burglary of a Daughenbaugh Road residence in Iowa, La., in which numerous firearms were stolen.

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Kayla Vincent said deputies with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office located numerous firearms reported stolen through CPSO in a car that had also been reported stolen.

The investigation revealed Eric S. Pine, 38, 2343 U.S. 90, and Chris M. Kelly, 43, 202 E. Jim Pickens Road, both of Sulphur, were in possession of the stolen car at some point.  It was also discovered Pine had sold the stolen car to Jesse A. Ricketts, 28, of Houston.

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“Further investigation revealed Ricketts was involved in the burglary and theft from the residence in Iowa and was in possession of the stolen firearms and had also transported them to Evangeline Parish to sell,” Vincent said.

Between July 14 and Aug. 10, detectives issued arrest warrants for Pine and Kelly charging them with illegal possession of stolen things.

Judge David Ritchie set Pine’s bond at $60,000 and Judge Tony Fazzio set Kelly’s bond at $40,000.

Detectives also issued a warrant for Ricketts, charging him with simple burglary; 34 counts of theft of a firearm; 34 counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and criminal street gangs & patterns of criminal street gang activity.  Ritchie set his bond at $451,000.

On Aug. 11 Pine was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center.  Detectives are still searching for Kelly and Ricketts.  Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call 491-3605 or Crime Stoppers at 439-2222.

Detectives were able to recover 23 firearms that had been reported stolen through CPSO along with the stolen car.

The investigation is continuing and more arrests are possible.