Over the past week, Patrol Deputies have responded to multiple calls involving burglaries in the Fendler Parkway and Choctaw Drive areas off of LA 28 East in Pineville. Sheriff’s Detectives were assigned the cases for investigation and started conducting counter-burglary operations at night. Detectives also reached out to the public for assistance in identifying the suspect(s) that had been caught on video surveillance cameras. With the public’s assistance and evidence gathered through the investigation, Detectives were able to identify Eric Branch, 22 of Pineville, as the suspect.
Through their investigation, Detectives were able to establish sufficient probable cause to obtain arrest warrants for Branch on multiple charges including burglary and criminal trespassing.
On February 2, 2024, Sheriff’s Detectives received a tip that Branch was in the LA 28 East and Ocho Rios area of Pineville. Detectives, with the assistance R.A.D.E Agents, Crime Suppression Unit, RPSO K9 Officers and Patrol Deputies, were able to locate and apprehend Branch. Branch was taken into custody without incident, placed under arrest and booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center. No bond has been set at the time of this release.
Arrestee:
Eric Branch, 22
511 Gary K Street Pineville
Charge:
6 counts of Simple Burglary
2 counts of Attempted Simple Burglary
3 counts Theft Less Than $1,000
6 counts Criminal Trespassing
1 count Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon
Sheriff’s Detectives say their investigation is still ongoing and additional charges are pending. If anyone has additional information in regards to this investigation, they are asked to contact Detective Justin Burch at the Criminal Investigations Division-Tioga Substation at 318-641-6000, Main Office at 318-473-6700 or Crime Stoppers at 318-443-7867. The Crime Stoppers P3 Tipster app may also be downloaded to leave tips and get a claim number for reward.
NOTE: Crime Stoppers is a private non-profit organization. Crime Stoppers is not a law enforcement agency.