A month-long investigation by Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies in connection with a vehicle burglary in Provencal has led to the arrest of a Natchitoches man according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Victor Jones Jr.

The investigation began on March 5 when NPSO Patrol Division deputies responded to a report of a vehicle burglary in the 100 block of Maple Street in Provencal.

While speaking to the complainant, deputies learned while she and a friend were attending Sunday church services, someone entered her friend’s 2014 Toyota RAV parked in the parking lot taking her Vera Bradley wallet containing credit cards, and an Apple Iphone 6 cell phone.

Deputies processed the crime scene and gathered information for an offense report.

Deputies assigned to Patrol Shift “C”, also collected video surveillance in undisclosed locations identifying a potential suspect vehicle and person of interest.

The case was turned over to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division for investigative purposes.

Over the course of the next two weeks, detectives learned that six unauthorized purchases were made on the complainant’s stolen credit cards amounting to $566.59 in the Natchitoches area.

Information gathered by High Tech Crime Unit detectives was disseminated among the patrol division to BOLO for the vehicle.

On April 7, an off-duty deputy assigned to the Patrol Division Shift “A” recognized the vehicle from intelligence reports, obtained a license plate number and contacted detectives with the information.

Detectives were able to positively identify a suspect as Dennis Quinn Jr., with that information and video surveillance evidence.

That afternoon, detectives executed a search warrant at Quinn’s residence on West Court Drive in Natchitoches at which time he was taken in custody.

Quinn was transported to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division to be interviewed.

While interviewing Quinn, detectives say he confessed to the vehicle burglary.

As a result Dennis Quinn Jr., 34, of the 1600 block of West Court Drive in Natchitoches was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center and charged with 1-count of Vehicle Burglary, 5-counts of Illegal Transmission of Monetary Funds and 5-counts of Unauthorized Use of a Access Card.

Quinn, who has nine prior arrests in the Vernon and Beauregard Parish areas, is also facing probation violation charges. No bond has been set.

Sheriff Victor Jones said this just goes to show you that no matter where you park your vehicle, as in this case at religious services, always remember to secure your vehicle and place important items such as purses, wallets, cell phones, etc., in a locked glove box or the trunk”.

Criminals look for easy access and targets to commit crimes.

Detectives say the investigation is ongoing. Other arrests may be possible.

Chief of Detectives Greg Dunn said both the Patrol and Investigations Division did an outstanding job collecting evidence, and sharing information that led to an arrest in this case.

Detective V. Kay was assisted by Deputies R. Ross and A. Llorence in the investigation.