5 face charges in "kick-in" burglaries investigation | News

LIVINGSTON PARISH, LA (WAFB)- Investigators said five people suspect in more than a dozen "kick-in" burglaries in at least three parishes were arrested after getting caught in the act.

The Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office said Herbert Biddle III, 35, of Livingston; Nicholas Duchamp, 22, of Walker; Brooke Yawn, 19, of Walker; Garth Kitzmiller, 20, of Livingston and Michelle Berthelot, 41, of Livingston face charges in connection with the thefts.

Deputies said they were arrested April 4 shortly after kicking in the front door of a home once the owner had left.

"Spent unusual amount of time, I think they were there 10 minutes or even longer.  Usually most burglars in and out within two or three minutes," said Livingston Parish Sheriff-Elect Jason Ard.

Ard says there have been six or seven burglaries around the parish.  But there are other burglaries the five may have been involved in.  It appears the burglaries crossed parish lines.  St. Helena Sheriff Nat Williams says they are investigating four burglaries.  In fact, it was a burglary in St. Helena that tipped of Livingston deputies.

It was surveillance at the home in St. Helena that caught the group.  On March 26, at 10:11 a.m., the video shows an SUV pulling up to a house.  Moments later a man in shown kicking in the front door.  A man then walks out carrying rifles, followed by someone walking out with a flat screen television.

All five suspects were booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center.

Detectives said they have recovered lots of the stolen merchandise worth thousands of dollars, such as:

Hand guns

Rifles

Jewelry

Flat screen TVs

Other types of electronic devices

Fishing poles

Turkey caller

Biddle was booked on seven counts of burglary, possession of stolen things and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. His bond was set at 212,500 with a hold by the St. Helena Parish Sheriff's Office.

Duchamp is being held on six counts of burglary, possession of stolen things and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He remains in prison on a $207,500 bond with a hold by the St. Helena Parish Sheriff's Office and Louisiana State Office of Probation and Parole.

Yawn is charged with possession of stolen things. The judge set her bond at $7,500.

Kitzmiller was booked on six counts of burglary, possession of stolen things and an outstanding traffic warrant. His bond was set at $157,717 with a hold by the St. Helena Parish Sheriff's Office.

Berthelot is being held on possession of stolen things, two counts of possession of Schedule II CDS (roxycodone/oxycontin), possession of drug paraphernalia and operation of a clandestine meth lab. She remains in prison on a $128,000 bond.

Deputies said more arrests are possible.

All five suspects were still locked up as of Tuesday morning.

Copyright 2012 WAFB. All rights reserved.