Lake Charles, LA –
On June 19 at approximately 3:00 a.m., Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a complaint in the area of Georgia Avenue in Hayes where a witness saw several men running from a vehicle after the alarm went off. The complainant was able to give deputies a description of the car as the suspects left the area.
While enroute deputies observed a car matching the description of the suspects’ car travelling on Highway 14 East in Lake Charles. Deputies initiated a traffic stop near Highway 397, and witnessed the men inside the car appear to be attempting to conceal items. When deputies approached the car they observed two handguns in plain view on the driver’s and passenger’s floorboard. Deputies spoke with the driver, Steven T. Arceneaux, Jr., 22, 1715 Pear Street, Lake Charles, and asked him to exit the car at which time they conducted a safety pat down and located a handgun in his pocket. After speaking with the passengers, Terrence O. Tramble, 22, 1105 S. Division Street, Lake Charles, and Marshall Smith, III, 33, 1602 8th Street, Lake Charles, deputies located 4 other handguns hidden throughout the car. Deputies were also advised by one of the passengers that all guns inside the car were stolen earlier that night, as well as some speakers, that were located inside the car.
Arceneaux, Tramble, and Smith were arrested and transported to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office to speak with CPSO Vehicle Crimes Investigation Unit (VCIU) detectives. During their interviews they confirmed they entered several vehicles in the LeBleu Settlement and Bell City/Hayes areas earlier that night.
They were booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center. Arceneaux is charged with 4 counts simple burglary; theft less than $1,000; theft of a firearm; and illegal carry of a weapon. His bond is $48,000; two charges of simple burglary are still pending a bond. Tramble is charged with 4 counts of simple burglary; theft less than $1,000; and theft of a firearm. His bond is $112,500. Smith is charged with 6 counts of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; 4 counts of simple burglary; theft of a firearm; and theft less than $1,000. His bond is $437,500. All three bonds were set by Judge Guy Bradberry.
CPSO Sr. Cpl. Austen Wright is the arresting deputy on this case. CPSO VCIU detective Ben White is the lead investigator on this case.
The investigation is still pending and more charges are possible.