Opelousas Man Arrested For ATV Thefts

An Opelousas man has been arrested for stealing three ATV's within St. Landry Parish.

Sheriff's spokesperson Eddie Thibodeaux said James Lanclos Jr. was responsible for stealing three ATV's and trading two of them.

The investigation began when a man told authorities he believed his son had been traded a stolen ATV from Lanclos. Deputies confirmed the item was indeed stolen and located a second ATV at a hunting club that Lanclos had also traded.

Two juveniles--who were with Lanclos when the ATVs were stolen--told investigators Lanclos should be in possession of a third ATV. Deputies found that item at Lanclos' girlfriend's residence.

Lanclos was booked into the St, Landry Parish jail on the following charges:

• Theft over $2,000
• Theft over $3,500
• Theft over $4,500
• Contributing to the delinquency of juveniles 
• Three counts of Criminal Trespassing   

Lanclos left the jail on a $16,250-bond.

"Do not leave ATV’S, generators, or anything of value in plain sight on your property.  A chain can deter a thief but it can be cut and your property stolen.  Write down your serial numbers and video all your property in case you are burglarized.  If you do not have the serial numbers for investigators it will be harder to recover your property." -- St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz.