An alleged theft involving thousands of dollars’ worth of iPhones led police in Louisiana to arrest three men. All three men were charged with theft, simple burglary and simple criminal damage, while one of the three is also charged with two counts of fugitive from justice. These are serious criminal charges, and Lake Charles defendants who are in similar situations may want to consider taking a proactive approach to their criminal defense.
Police believe that the three men broke into a Best Buy through a side door at around 11 p.m. in late March 2018. After entering the store, they allegedly broke open a cabinet containing cell phones. They are accused of filling a trash can with 119 iPhones, which were valued at over $110,000. By the time police responded to the store’s burglar alarm, there was no one there.
By reviewing the security footage, police determined that the incident involved three men. They discovered a vehicle that matched the one involved in the robbery and ran the plates, after which they discovered that it was rented and by whom. After obtaining a warrant for the suspect’s hotel room, they discovered 107 of the missing iPhones as well as dark clothing that seemed to match what the men were wearing on the security footage. At that point, all three men were arrested and taken into police custody.
Crafting a strong criminal defense for serious charges can take time. Because of this, most defendants in Lake Charles are well advised to take early and timely action in regard to their defense. This can mean working on a defense even as an investigation is still ongoing.
