A 45-year-old Eunice man is accused of burglarizing an elderly woman’s residence and stealing her life savings of $100,000, which he used to gamble at casinos, buy a sports car and drugs, according to St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz.
Chadrick Jude Lavergne, of the 500 block of La. 29, was charged with burglary of inhabited dwelling.
The burglary occurred on Dec. 3 and after it was aired on Crime Stoppers on Feb. 10 tips were received, Guidroz stated.
Investigators learned the Lavergne was familiar to the suspect and members of her family, he said.
The investigators then monitored Lavergne’s travels and leisure habits “to finally gather enough evidence for the arrest,” Guidroz said.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Lavergne.
“Lavergne returned to a casino in Lake Charles
and was apprehended, then transported to the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Jail for processing. Lavergne admitted to the burglary during the interrogation and further arrests are expected,” Guidroz said.
“Without the help of the tipsters in identifying Lavergne, and the hard and smart work of the detectives in this department, this case might have not been solved,” Guidroz said.
Lavergne’s bail is set at $120,000.