Man arrested in Bayou Cheramie boat launch thefts

BAYOU L’OURSE — A LaPlace man was arrested earlier this week following what Assumption Parish Sheriff Mike Waguespack called a “rash of vehicle burglaries” at the Bayou Cheramie boat launch on La. 398.

Ulysess Payne, 32, of 1832 Lee Drive, was booked on two counts of simple burglary following a Sheriff’s Office investigation that began last month, Waguespack said Thursday.

The sheriff said victims reported having their trucks broken into and items stolen from them after launching boats in the area. The stolen items included audio equipment and tools, Waguespack said.

In response, detectives placed surveillance cameras in the area, which caught a glimpse of Payne and his truck during one of the burglaries. On Tuesday, he was seen on the cameras again, Waguespack said, and detectives found several of the stolen items inside Payne’s truck.

Payne, who denied any involvement in the burglaries, was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center with bail set at $20,000. Waguespack said the burglary investigation remains ongoing.