Arrests in stolen guns from cop vehicles
LIVINGSTON — Authorities used DNA evidence to arrest a man Jan. 7 in the burglary of two law-enforcement vehicles in which firearms and “items specific to law enforcement” were stolen, a news release from the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office said.
Authorities are still searching for the stolen items in an investigation that so far has resulted arrests of three people. Misdemeanor summonses were issued to three others, the release said.
Joseph Baldwin, 26, 28659 Magnolia Drive, Walker, was arrested in the Jan. 2 burglary. His DNA was taken at the crime scene, and his DNA profile was provided by the State Police Crime Lab, the release said.
Baldwin lives with relatives near the site of the Magnolia Drive crime scene, where a Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office vehicle and a Baton Rouge Police Department unit were burglarized, the release says.
During the investigation, Baldwin tried to find the stolen items by giving authorities the last place where he knew they were located in surrounding parishes, the release says.
That led investigators to arrest Baldwin’s father, Warren Baldwin, and his uncle, Robert Baldwin, the release says.
According to the news release, the people booked and the counts against them:
- Joseph Baldwin, two counts of simple burglary of a law enforcement vehicle, five counts of simple burglary of a vehicle, handling a machine gun unlawfully, possession of marijuana and an unrelated traffic warrant. He remains in the Livingston Parish Detention Center on a bond of $151,193.
- Warren Baldwin, 57, 15186 Sanders Road, Prairieville, obstruction of justice and illegal possession of a stolen firearm. He remains in the Ascension Parish Detention Center on a $100,000 bond.
- Robert Baldwin, 65, 1709 La. 401, Napoleonville, booked into the Assumption Parish Jail on obstruction of justice and illegal possession of a stolen firearm. He also was booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center on accessory after the fact to simple burglary of a law enforcement vehicle. He has posted bail and released from custody.
Julie Smith, 40, 28659 Magnolia Drive, Walker, received a misdemeanor summons for possession of marijuana. Ariel Berethelot, 21, same address, got a misdemeanor summons for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, the release says.
Taylor Armentor, 21, 11000 Buddy Ellis Road, No. 413, Denham Springs, received a misdemeanor summons for principal to possession of marijuana, according to the release.