Three men and one juvenile were recently arrested in connection with a house burglary just outside the Jena City Limits where multiple guns and other items were stolen.

​

According to LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office Lead Detective, Brant King, the burglary actually took place over a period of several days as it took the suspects many attempts to break into a locked gun safe. “The house that was burglarized was located at 1704 Cowart Street, and had been unoccupied for about a week,” King stated. The detective said 14 guns were eventually stolen in the days leading up to the discovery of the burglary on February 5th, along with television sets and numerous other household items.

​

“We eventually recovered 13 of the 14 stolen guns, and other items and evidence found at the scene let us know that the burglars entered the home several times over several days, working on unlocking the gun safe,” he said. “Our investigation led us to identify the perpetrators and we secured warrants for their arrests.”

​

One of the alleged burglars, Blaine Volentine, 19, is from Jena. The others included Nathan Beard, 20, of Jonesville, James Jordan, Jr., 19, of Sicily Island, and one unidentified juvenile. Volentine was arrested by the LPSO in LaSalle Parish, along with Jordan, who came in for questioning to the Sheriff’s Office. The LPSO then contacted the Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole to assist in locating and arresting Beard, which took place the last week of February. “Beard was arrested by the CPSO and later transported back to LaSalle Parish,” King said. “When they arrested Beard, a search of the residence where he was located in Jonesville revealed multiple firearms that were stolen from LaSalle, along with suspected methamphetamines, marijuana, digital scales, and cash.” Beard was charged with multiple drug charges and firearm violations in Catahoula before being released to LaSalle to face felony charges here. 

 

Beard was charged by the LPSO for simple burglary, conspiracy to commit simple burglary, criminal damage to property, and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. His bond was set at $62,500 and as of Monday he remains in the LaSalle Parish Jail.

 

Volentine was also charged with simple burglary, conspiracy to commit simple burglary, criminal damage to property, and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. He also remains in jail with a bond of $43,000.

​

Jordan faces the same charges, simple burglary, conspiracy to commit simple burglary, criminal damage to property, and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. He was released on $35,500 bond.

 

The juvenile was charged with simple burglary, conspiracy to commit simple burglary, and criminal damage to property and was released to parents/guardians.

 

King had high praise for members of the Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole for their assistance in the arrests of these individuals. “We are thankful to have such a great working relationship with neighboring departments and their work on arresting these that committed crimes in our parish is greatly appreciated,” he said.

​

Press time: 03/11/2021 09:31