Deputy chief chases down burglar, then finds his home burglarized

Eunice Police Deputy Chief Richard Daigle’s trip home at about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday was interrupted when he spotted a break-in occurring in the 300 block of Pearl.
After a pursuit on foot, Daigle was able to catch one of the juvenile suspects.
At 7:40 p.m. Daigle was holding the suspect at gunpoint in the 200 block of Mamie requesting assistance.
The juvenile was taken to the Eunice Police Department where he identified two other suspects, Eunice Police Chief Randy Fontenot said.
When Daigle was able to go home, he discovered his house had been burglarized.
Five guns, four of which were loaded, had been stolen, Fontenot said.
But police were armed with identifications and recovered all five weapons, he said. An unspecified amount of ammunition taken from Daigle’s residence remained missing Wednesday morning.
During the recovery of the deputy chief’s property police found items taken from a St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s deputy residence in the 500 block of West Maple over the weekend, Fontenot.
During that burglary discovered at 5:15 p.m. Sunday, an M-16 rifle, a 30-round magazine, rifle sling, light for the rifle, portable radio and charger, ballistic vest, two .40-caliber Glock magazines, Playstation 3, and a body camera were stolen.
All but the body camera, portable radio and charger were recovered.
Fontenot believes the deputy chief and sheriff’s deputy were targeted by the burglars who thought weapons were at the residences.
A fourth juvenile suspect is being sought and the investigation is continuing, he said.
St. Landry Crime Stoppers announced on social media it is offering a reward for information in the burglary involving the deputy.
“If you see any of the following items, have video surveillance footage, or have information you are urged to call St. Landry Crime Stoppers at 948-8477 (TIPS) Or online at stlandrycrimestoppers.com. All tips are anonymous and you can earn up to a $1,000 cash reward. You may also contact Eunice Police Department at 337-457-6588 and St. Landry Parish Sheriffs Office at 337-948-6516.”