Three Washington Parish juveniles were arrested on Tuesday for burglary of a parish residence, according to Chief Deputy Mike Haley of the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The original complaint lodged with the Sheriff’s Office concerned the theft of a semi-automatic pistol from the residence, Haley said. When the responding patrol deputy, Dalton Manning, arrived on the scene, the homeowner revealed several other items which were missing, including new athletic shoes.

The following day, Patrol Sergeant Jay Dupre followed up with the homeowner who, by that time, had discovered video games were missing, along with a diamond ring and a watch, Haley said.

“Sgt. Dupre and the homeowner then viewed video from the homeowner’s surveillance cameras,” Haley said. “The video revealed three juvenile neighbors, all siblings, entering the residence when the homeowner was away. The juveniles were identified as living in the same neighborhood and were unaware the residence had video surveillance.”

Haley said that Dupre relocated to the home of the juvenile suspects, ages 11-14, and talked with their mother who fully cooperated with the investigation. Dupre and patrol deputy James Gregorio then traveled to the juveniles’ school and arrested the three juveniles who, in the presence of an adult family member during a later interview, confessed to the crime. The location of the stolen items was revealed and they were recovered by deputies.

After consultation with a 22nd Judicial District Judge, the three juveniles were transported to the Florida Parishes Detention Center.

Haley said that due to the ages of the juveniles, their names and addresses, as well as the specific location of the burglary, will not be disclosed.

“Unfortunately, these three young folks made bad decisions,” Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal said. “My hope is this will be a learning experience for them and, with the help of family and friends, they will be able to turn this into a positive future filled with right choices.

“I am grateful to deputies Manning and Gregorio, along with Sgt. Dupre, who handled this matter. I am grateful also to the family members who fully cooperated. There obviously is great love in this family unit and I feel certain the ultimate outcome will be good for the three young folks.”