Two lootings reported in Covington; arrests made in one

Two lootings in Covington kept the police department busy during the Hurricane Gustav emergency.

Capt. Jack West, spokesman for the Covington Police Department, said five men were arrested in connection with a looting at Urban Street, located in the St. Tammany Plaza Shopping Center on U. S. Highway 190, at 2 a.m. Aug. 31.

Clothing, shoes and jewelry were recovered from areas surrounding the store, but one of the six looters escaped.

Arrested and charged in the case were Rocky Venell Gaines, 17, 72333 Rose St., Abita Springs, charged with looting and three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile; Chris Jones Himes, 17, 72349 Daisey St., Covington, looting and three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile; and three male juvenile, ages 16, 15 and 13, each charged with looting. The three juvenile were placed in the Florida Parishes Detention Center in Robert, and the two adults were taken to the St. Tammany Parish Jail.

The at-large suspect was identified as Charles Okeff Stallings, 17. Arrest warrants for looting and three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile have been issued. He was still at large Friday afternoon.

The second looting involved Quick Stop Number 4 at 1110 N. Columbia St. The front door was broken, and the looters took alcohol, cigarettes and lottery tickets. Some of the stolen items were recovered.

Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers toll free at 1-877-903-STOP or Lt. Steve Short of the Covington Police Department at 892-8500.