Arrest made in Tioga body shop burglary

RAPIDES PARISH, La. (WNTZ) – On June 23, 2024, patrol deputies responded to the 3000 block of LA 3225, Tioga, La. in reference to a burglary of a business. Deputies took the initial report and due to the amount of equipment stolen as well as a vehicle, sheriff’s detectives also responded to conduct their investigation.

After review of the camera footage of the business, it was determined that between the hours of approximately 1 am and 5:30 am on Sunday June 23rd, an unknown male suspect entered the property and broke into the shop. After gaining entry into the shop, the suspect also took keys belonging to a vehicle that the shop has been working on, a 2019 Hyundai Elantra. The suspect went to the adjacent business and loaded several items into a Penske 25’ moving truck that was also on site to have service work done.

The suspect then left the scene in the moving truck and returned to take the Elantra. The Penske truck was recovered at the adjacent business but was unloaded of all the equipment taken. Detectives believe the suspect loaded the items in the Elantra and left the area. The Elantra has not been recovered at this time.

Sheriff’s Detectives established several possible suspects and on June 27th, a “help us identify” post was put out Facebook. Through their investigation, along with the help from the public, the suspect was identified as Charles Andre Steiner, Jr., 31, of Woodworth, La. From evidence gathered at the scenes, Sheriff’s Detectives were able to establish sufficient probable cause to obtain arrest warrants for Steiner, Jr. Also later implicated in the investigation, was a suspect identified as Patrick Allen Brown, 41 of Woodworth, La.

ArresteeCharles Andre Steiner, Jr., 31Criminal Damage to Property >$1000 < $50,000

Theft of a Motor Vehicle

ChargesPatrick Allen Brown, 41Possession of stolen items

Obstruction of justice

On June 27th, Sheriff’s Detectives located Steiner, Jr. and Brown and they were both taken into custody without incident and placed under arrest for the outstanding warrants. Both suspects were booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center where they remain at the time of this release; Steiner, Jr. is being held on a $75,000.00 bond and Brown is being held on a $35,0000.00 bond.

Sheriff’s Detectives say their investigation is still ongoing and more arrests are possible.