Beauregard Parish, Louisiana

From DeRidder’s Beauregard Daily News of March 23, 2006

Ragley couple arrested on burglary charges

A Ragley couple was recently arrested by Beauregard Parish Sheriff deputies and charged with Simple Burglary and Theft.

At approximately 9:47 a.m. on Saturday, March 19, BPSO received a call that a homeowner had caught someone burglarizing his home. The sheriff department then received a second call advising that the homeowner has shot at the suspects pickup truck that had been detained and the caller also said that the female occupant of the vehicle was claiming to have been shot, but the caller could not confirm this. Acadian Ambulance was dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival deputies learned that the homeowner had been next door and had observed a vehicle pull into the garage area of his residence. The homeowner then saw a man whom he did not recognize, get out of the vehicle and go up the steps to the back door. The homeowner then saw the man walk back to the driver's side of the truck and then go through the garage towards his shop. At this time the homeowner's brother observed the man loading a weedeater into the back of the truck. The homeowner then drove to his house and pulled up behind the suspect truck and observed the man putting a tool set and rods and reels into the back of the truck.

The suspect advised the homeowner that he had been sent to this residence to pick up these items. The homeowner advised the man to wait where he was until someone else arrived. About this time other family members showed up to watch the man and the woman who was on the passenger side of the truck.

The homeowner went to his house to call 911 and observed that his back door was standing open. At this time a family member advised the homeowner that these suspects may be armed based on a conversation that was heard between the two suspects. The homeowner got a shotgun from his shop and told the suspects that the police would be there shortly.

After a few minutes the man got into the truck and started it up and then attempted to leave. The homeowner fired a shot hitting the back light and back glass of the truck. At this time the driver then drove in the direction of the homeowner and the homeowner shot the front passenger-side tire. Then the suspect claimed that his girlfriend has been shot.

Upon arrival of the deputies and Acadian Ambulance it was determined that the woman had not been shot, that there were no injuries to either suspect.

The deputies identified the two suspects as Kevin Wayne Conner, 47, and Mary A. Hick, 42, both of Ragley.

Both Conner and Heck were arrested for Simple Burglary and Theft and they remain in the BPSO Jail pending the setting of bond. No charges have been filed against the homeowner. The report was forwarded to the District Attorney's office to determine if any charges will be accepted against the homeowner.