The Natchitoches Police Department arrested three juveniles for stealing packages from the front porch of a residence on Second Street.
Natchitoches Police Department were dispatched to the 400 block of Second Street on April 16 around 3:34 pm in reference to a group of juveniles stealing packages. Upon officers arrival they were able to speak with a witness who was able to provide a physical description of the juvenile suspects.
The three suspects were located and placed under arrest without incident for theft. They were released into the custody of their parents.
Mail theft is a felony and is defined below:
§67.6. Mail theft
A. As used in this Section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(1) “Mail” means any letter, postal card, parcel, envelope, package, bag, or any other sealed article addressed to another, along with its contents.
(2) “Mail depository” means a mail box, letter box, or mail receptacle of a postal service, an office of a postal service, or a vehicle of a postal service.
(3) “Postal service” means the United States Postal Service or its contractors, or any commercial courier that delivers mail.
B. Any of the following acts shall constitute mail theft:
(1) Removing mail from a mail depository or taking mail from a mail carrier with a postal service with an intent to steal.
(2) Obtaining custody of mail by fraud or deception with an intent to steal.
(3) Selling, receiving, possessing, transferring, buying, or concealing mail obtained by acts described in Paragraph (1) or (2) of this Subsection while knowing or having reason to know that the mail was obtained illegally.
C.(1) Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than five years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both.
(2) Upon a second or subsequent conviction or violation of the provisions of this Section, the offender shall be imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year nor more than ten years and may, in addition, be fined not more than twenty thousand dollars.
D. In addition to the penalties provided in Subsection C of this Section, a person convicted under this Section shall be ordered to make full restitution to the victim and any other person who has suffered a financial loss as a result of the offense in accordance with Code of Criminal Procedure Article 883.2.
E. An offense committed under this Section may be prosecuted in any of the following parishes:
(1) The parish where the offense occurred.
(2) The parish of residence or place of business of the direct or indirect victim.
Acts 2024, No. 67, §1.
If you would like to report suspicious activity or if you have additional information in regards to this investigation please contact the Natchitoches Police Department at (318) 352-8101. Remember all information given shall remain confidential.
How to report an anonymous tip via Natchitoches Crime Stoppers:
You can also report a tip anonymously by downloading the P3 Tips app on your smart phone or by calling Natchitoches Crime Stoppers at (318) 238-2388. All tips remain confidential and the caller can receive a cash reward up to $3,000 for the arrest of an offender.