Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives were able to quickly make an arrest in a burglary case earlier this week, according to WPSO Chief Deputy Mike Haley.

Haley said that early Monday morning, a burglar struck a Bogalusa business located on Highway 10 East. As soon as the business opened and the owner discovered the burglary, the WPSO was notified. Patrol Lt. Chris Hickman and Patrol Deputy Chad Cassard responded to the business.

Haley said that camera surveillance at the business revealed a male breaching the warehouse wall of the business and entering between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. He then loaded two bags with merchandise, went outside, then returned and picked up two more items. The total cost of the stolen items was $1,500.

Haley said that video footage reviewed by the store owner and employee, along with deputies, showed a clear profile of the burglar’s face. He was quickly identified as Charles Dale Bowden, 55, a former employee of the business.

WPSO detectives took over the case and obtained a warrant for the arrest of Bowden, a resident of the Crossroads, Miss., community in Pearl River County. Detectives then coordinated with the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office and arrested Bowden at his home, Haley said.

Since the arrest was in Mississippi, Bowden was transported to the Pearl River County Jail. He is expected to be transferred to the Washington Parish Jail later this week, where a bond amount will be set for charges of burglary and criminal damage.

Haley said that Bowden had a prior stay in the Washington Parish Jail in March of 2019, on charges of possession of illegal drugs. He was released from custody after posting a $4,500 bond.

Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal commented on the arrest.

“I congratulate the business owner for having surveillance cameras,” Seal said. “This simple tool captured the burglary in progress and enabled quick identification of the burglar who was arrested and jailed the same day of his crime.

Our patrol deputies and detectives did an excellent job on this case and we are grateful to Pearl River County Sheriff David Allison and his officers for their assistance. I cannot over-emphasize the importance of surveillance cameras at our businesses and homes.”