Two lootings reported in Covington; arrests made in one

By Debbie Glover
St. Tammany News
Published on Monday, September 8, 2008 10:17 AM CDT

Print this story | Email this story | Post A Comment |

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.

Print this story | Email this story | Post A Comment |

Comments

No comments posted.

WRITE A COMMENT

Use the form below to post a brief comment to this story, or respond to other readers. Please use the word count tool to assist you in keeping your remarks to 100 words or fewer.

Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All readers comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. They review submitted comments periodically during the day for offensive or off-topic content before posting. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The St. Tammany News is not liable for messages from third parties.

DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.
* Personal Information (phone numbers, addresses, etc.)

Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in thesttammanynews.com's reader comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of the St. Tammany News. The St. Tammany News does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized St. Tammany News spokespersons.

Your thoughtful contribution to the online discussion is appreciated.