VPPD makes arrests involving credit card scheme; asking for the public’s help with break-ins

Ville Platte Police Department has made two arrests involving a credit card scheme.
According to a release, on May 20, 2016 VPPD received a report of credit card information theft from a local citizen. Detectives began investigating the incident and made a traffic stop on the vehicle matching the description of the suspects. Detective Pat Hall spoke with the suspects and requested identification. At that time Detective Hall discovered numerous credit cards with different names on them. Both suspects were brought to the Ville Platte Police Department for further investigation.
After receiving permission to search the vehicle, officers and Detective Hall located over 100 credit cards with different names, 98 blank credit cards, 61 credit cards with the names cut off and 29 gift cards worth over $18,000.00. The gift cards were purchased from over eight different stores in Louisiana in varying amounts.
Also discovered in the vehicle were numerous pieces of clothing with the purchase tags still on each piece. Detective Hall arrested and charged the following two suspects with monetary instrument abuse.
•Randy Fort Gonzales, 22, of 2014 SW 3 Street Apartment 9, Miami, Florida, was arrested and charged with monetary instrument abuse. Gonzales was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail and later bonded out on a $45,000.00 bond issued by Judge Ortego.
•Eusebio Daniel Hernandez Marrero, 20, of 104 SW 20 Avenue, Apartment 22, Miami ,Florida was arrested and charged with monetary instrument abuse. Marrero was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail and later bonded out on a $45,000.00 bond issued by Judge Ortego.
Chief Lartigue stated that the victim reported the incident immediately which was crucial in this incident. The Detective was able to quickly locate the suspects before they left the area.
Chief Lartigue is also requesting the public’s assistance regarding a rash of incidents from the month of May.
•On May 10, 2016 a laptop was stolen from a business on South Thompson.
•On May 23, 2016 two businesses in the 200 and 300 block of West Main Street were burglarized and property was damaged.
•On May 24, 2016 two buildings was burglarized on the same property in the 1500 block of Martin Luther King.
•On May 26, 2016 there was an attempted break in at a building on High School Drive and a burglary at a building in the 1000 block of North Reed.
•On May 29, 2016 there was an attempted break in and property damage at a business in the 400 block of West Main Street.
•On May 30, 2016 there was an attempted break in and property damage at a business in the 1200 block of West Main Street.
Chief Lartigue is asking citizens to call in and report any information on these incidents and to also call if you see anyone suspicious or hanging around a closed business at night. If something seems odd or not quite right follow your instincts and call it in to the VPPD at (337) 363-1313. Your call will remain anonymous.