IPSO announces new surveillance

Published 5:00 am Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal released a statement Monday announcing the implementation of a new surveillance operation which places deputies inside of local convenience stores. The operation is a response to what Ackal’s office called an increase in “smash and grab” burglaries, wherein perpetrators smash a store window and grab items. 

The new operation began Wednesday night, according to the statement, which has two deputies stationed in several stores, with each store owner’s permission, after hours.

“Deputies have volunteered to work the detail during their off-duty hours and will work at different locations,” the statement said. 

According to the IPSO, deputies stationed inside of two separate convenience stores observed attempted burglaries over the weekend, the first at the Food-N-Fun convenience store on Duperier Street and a second at an unidentified location. Deputies arrested two juveniles at the Food-N-Fun who used a brick to smash the glass of the store’s front door, then attempted to load backpacks full of merchandise. Both, 15, were from New Iberia. In the second instance, deputies observed two subjects trying to enter the store they were inside of, but the two fled from the scene.

“To further enhance the program, the parents of juveniles involved in these burglaries will be held accountable for their children’s actions and could face jail time,” the statement reads. “Because of the success of the operation Sheriff Ackal has authorized the operation to continue at convenience stores and thrift stores.” 

Dates and locations will vary. 

“You smash, We Will Grab,” the statement concludes.