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DENHAM SPRINGS, LA (WGNO) — Livingston Parish deputies say they arrested two people who stole from volunteers at a church that was serving as a shelter for flood victims.
Deputies say it happened on September 11 at the Christ Community Church on Juban Road in Denham Springs. In a written news release announcing the arrests, Sheriff Jason Ard describes what his deputies discovered.“This location was being used as a shelter for displaced flood victims and a distribution center at the time of the incident. 2 people tried to take advantage of the kindness of those volunteering in that shelter. This duo created a ruse to distract those working the shelter. They told volunteers that someone had fallen ill & needed immediate attention in another part of the facility. That was a lie. While volunteers attempted to attend to a sick individual, the pair stole 2 purses. Through investigation, LPSO detectives were able to recover the stolen purses and the contents inside.”Two suspects were arrested. They’re identified as 33-year-old Leslie L. Burch of Roseland and 26-year-old Robert K. Johnson of Pine Grove. Both were booked with possession of stolen things and possession of marijuana. Burch faces an additional charge of theft of a firearm. Johnson was also booked with driving under suspension. At last word, both were behind bars on $7,500 bond. The department’s statement did not say if Burch was accused of stealing a gun that was on church premises.
