An alert citizen’s call reporting a suspicious person has led to the arrest of a Rapides Parish man on burglary charges according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

On Saturday afternoon May 2 at approximately 5:00pm, Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Division responded to reports of a suspicious person walking around and attempting to kick the door in at the Old Derry Mercantile Store in the 1400 block of La. Hwy 1 at Derry, La.

Deputies arrived on scene within minutes.

While walking around checking the building a deputy observed a subject inside the building.

The deputy requested back-up for officer safety setting up a perimeter around the building.

While waiting for back-up the suspect exited the building through the front door.

The deputy issued several verbal commands to the suspect to comply with her orders in which he refused. Deputies were patient and after several more tactical commands the suspect was taken into custody without incident.

Deputies arrested:

Luis L. Hernandez, 28, of Pineville was transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Simple Burglary, Simple Criminal Damage to Property and Resisting an Officer.

Deputies speaking through a translator believe Hernandez was under the influence of intoxicating beverages and learned he had been dropped off in the area by friends.

Deputies contacted the property owner for an inventory. No items were taken.

Sheriff Victor Jones and Sheriff-elect Stuart Wright thanks the alert citizen for seeing something suspicious and reporting it to law enforcement.

If you see something suspicious in your community, contact the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office at 352-6432. Please provide our dispatch center with accurate descriptions of the vehicle or person(s) involved in the suspicious activity.

Reserve Deputy M. Williams made the arrest assisted by Deputy R. Head.