Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies arrested three people in connection with the burglary of a south Natchitoches Parish business Jan. 3 at 1:38 am.

NPSO Patrol Division deputies and State Police responded to a commercial burglary alarm at 3 J’s Four-Way Grocery/Cypress Knee Outdoors in the 11000 block of Hwy. 1 at Cypress. Forced entry was gained into the business through a broken front door glass.

Deputies and State Police checked the building for intruders. NPSO Criminal Investigations Division detectives also responded to the scene. An inventory of the business by the store manager revealed no items were taken at the time.

Deputies and store management began reviewing security tape. The suspects were targeting and attempting to steal firearms but were frightened at the sound of the alarm and fled the store leaving the area on the back side of the business and then traveling west on Hwy. 120, according to Chief Investigator Greg Dunn.

Deputies checked the area but were unable to locate the suspects.

The suspects were identified Wednesday with the assistance of the video. Detectives located two of the suspects traveling in a white 1998 Chevrolet Z-71 pickup truck visiting an undisclosed location in the City of Natchitoches.

Kwenton Dudley and Treyvious Blackman were transported to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division. While interviewing both suspects confessed to the burglary.

Detectives arrested:

Kwenton Al Andre Dudley, 20, of the 700 block of Lake Street, Natchitoches, La. transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Principal to Simple Burglary.

Treyvious Blackman, 17, of 500 Lakeview Drive, Natchitoches, La. transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Principal to Simple Burglary.

On Thursday morning a third suspect identified as Kylar Beard voluntarily reported to the Criminal Investigations Division.

Beard also confessed to the burglary.

Kylar L. Beard, 17 of the 700 block of Main Street, Natchez, La. was transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Simple Burglary.

All three suspects remain in the Natchitoches Detention Center awaiting bond.

Sheriff Jones said detectives learned during the investigation this group had an elaborate plan with lookouts for law enforcement patrolling the area including the alleged intent to steal at least 36 (thirty-six) handguns from this business to sell and put on the streets.

Detectives are continuing the investigation and attempting to identify any other individuals that may have acted as lookouts for the suspects.

Detectives did recover burglary tools from the vehicle.

Detective D. Sowell was assisted by Detective D. Winder, the NPSO Patrol Division and Trooper J. Jett assigned to LSP Troop-E Alexandria.

“See Something Suspicious-Say Something”.

Contact the NPSO at 352-6432.