A Rapides Parish man currently on probation has been arrested by Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives on felony burglary charges in connection with a residential burglary involving several guns, jewelry and coins that were stolen near Natchitoches according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.
On Tuesday November 2, 2021, Detectives assigned to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau were contacted in reference to a residential burglary in the 500 block of La. Hwy 478 near Natchitoches.
Detectives responded to the scene.
While speaking with the homeowner/complainant, detectives learned forced entry had been gained through a rear window into the residence.
Items reported stolen in the burglary were 11 guns, ammunition, jewelry, a television and coins valued over $8000 dollars.
Detectives then began to gather information for an offense report and photographed the crime scene.
Detectives processed the crime scene, gathering fingerprint and blood evidence for analysis.
On November 3rd, detectives traveled to the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office. While there, they summoned assistance from Red River Sheriff’s Sgt. D. Duddy, a certified latent fingerprint examiner and expert in identifying fingerprints to analyze the fingerprints lifted at the crime scene.
The fingerprints were identified as belonging to 29-year-old Leandrew Holden of Alexandria.
Based on fingerprint and other evidence, detectives developed sufficient evidence and probable cause to obtain a criminal arrest warrant signed by a Tenth Judicial District Court Judge for the arrest of Holden.
As the investigation progressed, detectives spoke with State Probation and Parole Agents in Alexandria that provided valuable information in the investigation.
Detectives learned Holden lived in Alexandria but was working in the Natchitoches area with a female acquaintance and should have been traveling in a gray 2004 Buick LeSabre passenger car.
On November 5, NATCOM 911 Center issued a BOLO (Be on the Lookout) Bulletin for the suspect vehicle believed to be in the Natchitoches area.
Within minutes of the BOLO, Louisiana State Police Trooper D. Morvant spotted and stopped the suspect vehicle on Industrial Drive in Natchitoches occupied by Holden and his female acquaintance.
Holden was placed under arrest on the active warrant and transported to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division Bureau for an interview.
The female acquaintance was escorted to NPSO Criminal Investigations for interview purposes.
During an interview with Holden, detectives learned some of the guns were being stored at an apartment complex located at 100 Greystone Drive, Natchitoches.
Detectives then obtained a search warrant signed by a Tenth Judicial District Court Judge to search the apartment on Greystone Drive.
During a search, detectives recovered a Winchester 30-30 lever action rifle, Winchester .22 caliber rifle, Eclipse 12-gauge double-barrel shotgun, 2-Remington 12-gauge shotguns and a Savage bolt-action rifle that were all stolen in the burglary.
The investigation continued over into Rapides Parish, where Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Detectives assisted NPSO detectives in obtaining a search warrant for Holden’s residence located in the 3000 block of Culpepper Road in Alexandria.
Detective R. Lofton with RPSO led the search warrant execution. During the search, detectives recovered a Glock holster and magazine along with 2 jewelry boxes that were also stolen in the Natchitoches burglary.
On November 5 at approximately 11:30am, Leandrew Holden, 29, of the 3000 block of Culpepper Road, Alexandria was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with 1-Count of Simple Burglary, 1-Count of Criminal Trespassing and 1-Count of Simple Criminal Damage to Property.
A Tenth Judicial District Judge has set bond at $21,500.00 dollars, however, a probation hold has been placed on Holden by State Probation and Parole Agents.
The investigation is ongoing and other arrests are possible if someone is caught in possession of the other firearms. If Holden, sold or traded a firearm to you please contact Detective Amber Shirley or Major R. Turner of the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division at 357-7830.
Sheriff Stuart Wright would like to thank Red River Sheriff Glen Edwards , Rapides Parish Sheriff Mark Wood, and Louisiana State Probation and Parole Agents for their assistance in our investigation.
We also commend Trooper David Morvant for being observant and taking quick action in the arrest of Holden shortly after the BOLO bulletin was issued by NATCOM 911.
Involved in the investigation were: Detective Amber Shirley, Detective Sgt. Craig LaCour and Detective Cpt. Darrel Winder.
