LAKE CHARLES, La. (KLFY) -- Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives are currently looking for a suspect in connection with a string of burglaries committed throughout Calcasieu Parish, including Vinton, Carlyss, Sulphur and Iowa.
Ronrika C. Ben, 39, of Lafayette is charged with two counts of aggravated burglary, simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling, three counts of simple criminal property damage, nine counts of theft of a firearm, theft $5,000-$25,000, theft over $25,000 and nine counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. This suspect is still at large.
Detectives said there are numerous similarities in 16 burglaries from December 2022 until January 2024. Authorities said the burglaries occurred during daytime hours, in rural areas where the homes are set back on the property, making it difficult to see the backdoor or carport from the road. Once the suspects made entry they were inside the homes for less than five minutes, using a specific method to steal certain firearms, money, jewelry and safes.
CPSO detectives were able to identify several suspects. Between April 2023 and January 2024, the following people were arrested in connection with several of the burglaries:
Devin D. Lawrence, 30, of Lafayette is charged with four counts of simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling, simple burglary, three counts of simple criminal damage to property, two counts of theft less than $1,000, two counts of theft $5,000-$25,000, five counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and five counts of theft of a firearm.
Breanna L. Berry, 22, of Lafayette is charged with two counts of aggravated burglary, simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling, three counts of simple damage to property, nine counts of theft of a firearm, theft $5,000-$25,000 and theft over $25,000.
Kenny M. John-Louis, 30, of Carencro is charged with two counts of aggravated burglary, simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling, three counts of simple criminal property damage, nine counts of theft of a firearm, theft $5,000-$25,000, theft over $25,000 and nine counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
On Jan. 31, CPSO detectives issued an additional warrant for Ronrika Ben, who was previously released on bond, as well as another suspect, Deion D. Ben, 29, of Carencro, in connection to the burglaries in January 2024. Judge Tony Fazzio signed the warrants with no bond, charging them with simple burglary, simple criminal damage to property and theft less than $1,000.
The US Marshal Task Force in Lafayette located Deion Ben on Thursday. He was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center on his warrant.
In addition to the CPSO warrant, Ronrika Ben also has active warrants out of Allen Parish, East Baton Rouge Parish, Livingston Parish, Lafayette and Probation and Parole, as well as a pick-up order by the 14th Judicial District Court.
The investigations are ongoing, and more arrests, charges and warrants are likely, according to CPSO.
If anyone knows the whereabouts of Ronrika Ben, they are asked to call CPSO at 491-3605 or 911. If anyone is found to be assisting or harboring suspects, they will be charged accordingly, authorities said.
