Crash and rob

BY STEVE WILSON
THE DAILY IBERIAN
Published/Last Modified on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 2:14 PM CDT

Robbers used an SUV to ram a New Iberia gun store early this morning before stealing firearms and leaving the SUV stuck in the building.

At least two vehicles, one of which was used as a battering ram, were used to steal guns from Cajun Gun and Tackle at 684 E. Admiral Doyle Drive. The incident took place shortly after 4 a.m. today, Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal said.

“They drove in and stole a bunch of guns,” Ackal said. “That was the primary, but they also left a lot of forensic evidence, lots of blood and prints.”

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Investigators did not know this morning how many guns had been taken.

As of 6:35 a.m., Ackal and half a dozen Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office patrol units, as well as a K-9 unit and two crime scene investigators, were on scene. One of the robbery vehicles, a gold and silver Mitsubishi SUV, was still protruding from the back door of the store, which was unoccupied at the time of the incident. A glass window in the front of the store also was shattered.

Ackal said several attempts to rob the store have been made in the past.

“This time they felt the best way was to just drive through the back,” Ackal said.

Ackal said the robbers had the foresight to tear out phone lines leading into the building, disabling the alarm system. He also raised the possibility of gang involvement in the incident.

“I won’t rule that out,” Ackal said.

“As much blood as we’ve got at the scene, we’ve got someone going to the hospital. We’re probably dealing with young people here. They were smart enough to cut the phone and power, so they must watch enough TV to know to do that.”

The sheriff’s office were unable to provide additional information on the suspects as of press time.

Ackal said the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms was notified, which is standard procedure in the case where firearms have been stolen.

Ackal said at 7 a.m. a vehicle found abandoned in New Iberia was believed to be the other vehicle involved in the incident, and was confident the investigation would be concluded soon.

“I don’t think this will be a hard one to bust,” Ackal said.

Keith Price, the owner of Blues Archery, which shares space with Cajun Gun and Tackle, was at the scene as the investigation continued.

“I think this is crazy,” Price said of the incident.

Comments

    Concerned wrote on Aug 6, 2008 2:40 PM:

    " I to would like to know who is responsible for the damages. Restitution is out of the question. How about the lady whose fence was smashed. She ask and still has not got an answer. Her child still talks about the guy laying down in front her house with guns to his head. A high speed chase in a residential neighbor hood, that ended in her front yard. SCARY!!! "

    Area Resident wrote on Jul 30, 2008 6:36 PM:

    " Confused, the Daily Iberian is an afternoon news source. The info was on the 10:00 and early morning news as well as the Advertiser. I as well as many other people do catch these shows before and after work. Whether you do or do not does not give you the right to bash other peoples postings because you hadn't heard. Now that that is behind us let's just forget it! "

    Parents are responsible wrote on Jul 30, 2008 4:41 PM:

    " Cajun guns and tackle should go after the parents and sue for any damages, confiscate cars, garnish wages, etc. the parents are responsible for the Criminal kids. If more parents would be taken to court for damages maybe they would raise thier kids. "

    Confused wrote on Jul 30, 2008 4:29 PM:

    " No, I do not think the Daily Iberian is the only news source. However, you posted a comment on iberianet.com, when, at the time, that information was not posted on this website. I do not have time to watch the news before or after work and I only look at this website while at work. So, I apologize for not researching, but you did not have to get snippy about it. "

    LOL wrote on Jul 30, 2008 2:47 PM:

    " Im glad they are not Area Resident. We didnt hear about the "attempted murder" of a police officer from the daily iberian until 2 days after it happend... thats pretty bad "

    Horrible Parents wrote on Jul 30, 2008 2:45 PM:

    " How were two children that young out at that time? These children shouldn’t be charged with anything. Charge their parents with all the crimes. This is ridiculous. This took place at around 4:00 in the morning. What kind of parents lets their 15 year old out at that time, much less the parents of the 13 year old? They need to be sterilized so now more children can come from them. "

    Concerned wrote on Jul 30, 2008 2:12 PM:

    " What happened to parents being responsible for their children? Maybe if more were held accountable for the kids we would have less crime. "

    Barry Boudreaux wrote on Jul 30, 2008 2:01 PM:

    " I believe when juveniles are involved in something of this magnitude the names of the parents should be public and the parents should be arrested if the juveniles were out past legal curfew hours. Put these punks on the spot and call out he parents that would get their attention. "

    Area Resident wrote on Jul 30, 2008 1:06 PM:

    " To Confused: To clarify a little more.....KATC, one of the top news stories.......and KLFY the lead story tells how the vehicles were reported stolen. Do you think that the Daily Iberian is the only news source in the area? "

    Area Resident wrote on Jul 30, 2008 12:58 PM:

    " To Confused: I didn't assume anything! Listen to the news. Read the Daily Advertiser. The ages and the names of the boys that were the above the legal ages were listed. The others were a 13 year old and a 15 year old. The 13 year old was treated at a local hospital for the cut he received during the breakin! Anything else Confused? The cars were reportedly stolen from a business on Lewis Street. I think that you are the very assumptive person! "

    Confused wrote on Jul 30, 2008 10:17 AM:

    " Also, who said the vehicles were stolen? You may think it was safe to assume, but you cannot come to that conclusion just from reading this story. "

    Confused wrote on Jul 30, 2008 10:14 AM:

    " In regards to "Area Resident's" comment, am I missing something? There was no mention of specific ages. Do you know something that you chose not to share with the rest of us? "

    Area Resident wrote on Jul 30, 2008 8:33 AM:

    " So now who is left holding the bill for all of this damage? Two stolen cars, one extremely damaged building, and lots of stolen guns. The two teenagers that are above the age of 16? The 15 year old? Maybe just maybe the 13 year old had a trust fund? The parents? And what kind of jail time will any of these kids see? This is just totally unacceptable. 13 and 15 year olds out at 4:00 AM with 18 and 19 year olds. Nothing but asking for trouble. "

    Cynical Cajun wrote on Jul 30, 2008 7:59 AM:

    " I think it is a shame that some low life people have to resort to low life measure to rob a store. Seems like these low life individuals suffer from a history of lack of parental involvement in their lives who have neglected to teach them the simple rules of right and wrong. Catch em Ackal! Also, Love the Toto joke Terreaboufs "

    terreaboufs wrote on Jul 29, 2008 10:34 PM:

    " Is that a picture of the K-9 unit that's going to "bust" this one? He kind of looks like Toto. "

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