UPDATE: The Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Department has identified the three men they believe stole a truck, crashed into Lougnon's Grocery in Gueydan, and yanked the ATM from the business. Sheriff Mike Couvillon says the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office SWAT team assisted in the arrest of two of the three suspects.

26-year-old Devonta Richard of Carencro was taken into custody on May 7 in Lafayette. 26-year-old Deamonte Chatman of Opelousas was arrested on May 8 at Lafayette District Court. The third suspect, 38-year-old Reggie Green of Arnaudville remains at large.

Any information on the whereabouts of Green are asked to report it immediately.

All tips may be directed to the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 337-898-4403 or Crimestoppers of Vermilion at 337-740-TIPS (8477) or on the P3 app.

ORIGINAL STORY (May 1, 2024)

Gueydan, LA (KPEL News) - ATM thieves have been wreaking havoc on parishes across south Louisiana. They have seriously damaged businesses in St. Landry, AcadiaIberia, St. Martin, and they added Vermilion Parish to the list this week. As you'll see below, the problem is not confined to Louisiana.

Vermilion Parish Sheriff Mike Couvillon issued a call for information about the latest ATM theft that happened in the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 1 in Gueydan. The store they targeted is owned by Gueydan Police Chief Cru Delcambre.

Up until now, no ATM thefts had occurred in Vermilion Parish. The thieves follow the same pattern. Two people steal a heavy duty pick-up truck and then use a chain hooked to it to yank an ATM machine from the business, destroying the facade and often interior of the store in the process. The trucks aren't always stolen from the parish where the ATM theft takes place. For instance, the suspects stole a truck in Lafayette Parish to commit the other crime at a bank in Iberia Parish.

Law enforcement agencies across parish lines are working together to find the people responsible, and they believe there may be a ring of thieves working together. Only one person has been arrested in connection with an ATM theft in Cecilia. St. Martin Parish Sheriff Beckett Breaux says the other culprit has been identified, but there has been no report of another arrest.

READ MORE: Tide May Be Turning in ATM Thefts

Chief Delcambre's store, Lougnon's Grocery in Gueydan, was demolished when the suspects crashed into the store and stole the ATM machine. You can see in the photos below the severity of damage to the store.

Photos Courtesy of Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Office

 

ATM theft damage
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ATM theft damage
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ATM theft damage
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After responding to the scene, deputies received word that someone saw a damaged Dodge pick-up truck in a field off Elliot Road. When they found the vehicle, the ATM and building materials from the store were in the bed. They also discovered that the truck was, indeed, stolen.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division at 337-898-4403.

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