A south Louisiana man being held in the Rapides Parish jail in connection with multiple burglaries in Central Louisiana was arrested by Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives in connection with three separate burglaries in south Natchitoches in 2015 and 2016 according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Victor Jones.
In February, Sheriff Victor Jones was attending a law enforcement network meeting in Rapides Parish when he learned Grant and Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Offices were investigating burglary cases similar to active open investigations in Natchitoches Parish.
Shortly after, Grant and Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Offices contacted the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division sharing information that they’d arrested a New Iberia man in connection with multiple store and church burglaries in their parishes.
NPSO Detectives were actively investigating three burglaries in south Natchitoches Parish.
• November 2015 burglary of Hwy. 1 Grocery in Cloutierville where currency, cigarettes and cashier’s checks amounting over $1,000 were taken
• June 2016 burglary of Natchitoches Pecans at Little Eva where approximately $500 was taken
• June 2016 burglary of Grace Baptist Church, south of Cloutierville where $35 was taken from the Operation Christmas Child Fund jar
Grant and Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Offices believed their suspect matched the description of surveillance video images released by the NPSO in connection with Natchitoches Parish burglaries according to Chief of Investigations Greg Dunn.
As the investigation progressed, detectives from all agencies shared information concerning the suspect and his methods. NPSO Detectives obtained search warrants for electronic equipment, began reviewing evidence and conducted interviews in Grant and Rapides Parishes.
In late June, detectives obtained arrest warrants for a suspect identified as Charles Wiltz, of New Iberia. They didn’t rush but continued to gather additional evidence on Wiltz and learned of an accomplice.
NPSO Detectives traveled to the Rapides Parish jail July 13, where they officially charged Charles Wiltz, 56, of the 100 block of Hansel Street in New Iberia, with 3-counts of Simple Burglary in Natchitoches Parish.
Wiltz, who has a long list of prior arrests, remains in the Rapides Parish jail without bond with a hold from Natchitoches and Grant Parishes.
An arrest on a accomplice is forthcoming while he is being incarcerated in the Grant Parish Detention Center.
Sheriff Jones said that law enforcement networking and sharing of information was valuable in this case. Criminals have no jurisdictional boundaries as they travel to commit crimes in various areas.
The case will be turned over to the Natchitoches Parish District Attorney’s Office for review and prosecution.
