Two arrested in Acadia Parish for attempted ATM theft

Two men were arrested for attempting to break into an ATM and could be linked to other similar incidents.

CHURCH POINT, La. (KLFY) – Two men were arrested for attempting to break into an ATM and could be linked to other similar incidents.

According to Church Point Police, two subjects broke into an ATM at a local bank in the early morning hours on June 26. The two suspects damaged the ATM device, but were unable to access the money in the machine. When bank employees arrived to work, they noticed the ATM had been damaged and reported it to the Church Point Police Department. 

Video surveillance showed the vehicle used and was identified by employees who had previously seen the same vehicle come into the parking lot after opening. The vehicle was reported stolen from the Alexandria area. 

With the assistance from the Acadia Parish Intelligence Unit, a broadcast was put out to the Acadiana Crime Fighters network, along with other agencies and the vehicle was believed to be in the Maurice area. The Maurice Police Department found the vehicle and detained its occupants until the Church Point Police Department could arrive. An investigation found parts from the ATM were in the bed of the vehicle.

Brennan Jeanbatiste, 23 of Breaux Bridge and Jakavon Jermaine Sam, 19 of Arnaudville were arrested and booked into the Church Point Police Department jail and later transported to the Acadia Parish Jail. Both were charged with theft or criminal access of an automatic teller, theft and illegal possession of stolen goods. Jeanbatiste was also charged with resisting an officer by providing false information.

The investigation is on-going and the Church Point Police Department is working with other agencies where similar incidents have occurred with the same clothing and vehicle descriptions.

Jeanbatiste was also wanted out of the Texas area. Warrants have also been issued out of other jurisdictions for the two suspects.

Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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