Man Arrested for String of Local Vehicle Burglaries

    East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office Armed Robbery and Burglary Detectives began an investigation on 12/27/2012 in reference to a rash of vehicle burglaries concentrated around the Hooper Rd, Devall Rd, and Cimmaron Dr area. Detectives conducted surveillance and observed a white male identified as Cliffton Smith who was frequenting these areas late at night on foot.

    On 1/5/2013 Detectives observed Johnny Kemp and Smith in Kemp’s Ford truck riding in Cimmaron Subdivision at approximately 0345 hours.  Detective observed that Smith would take a path behind his trailer, on foot and came out on Devall Rd. and then enter into the Jackson Park Subdivision from between the houses early in the morning (pre-dawn). On 1/9/2013, at approximately 0300hrs, Detectives observed Smith in the area of Devall Lane crossing into the Jackson place Subdivision. Burglaries of vehicles were reported in these areas on 1/5/2013,12/26/2012,1/9/2013,12/30/2012 Detectives later conducted a pawn shop inquiry on Clifton Smith and located numerous pawns in the last several months.

    On 12/25/2012 a burglary of a vehicle was reported directly across the street from the defendants address 14314 Hooper Rd. The following item were stolen from the vehicle: a Taurus Judge .45 caliber handgun and a Benchmade pocket knife .The Complainant stated the Benchmade pocket knife is a $400.00 knife. The pawn inquiry shows that Smith pawned a Benchmade pocket knife on 12/26/2013. Detectives seized the knife and the victim positively identified the knife as his knife.

    On 1/15/2013 at approximately 0845 hours Detectives contacted the accused at his residence and placed him into custody. Detectives transported the accused to Central Substation. Detective Michelli read the accused his rights per Miranda Warnings at which time he stated he understood. Clifford Smith agreed to answer questions. Smith stated that he has a Crystal Meth and an opiate addiction which costs him about $150 a day. He commits burglaries to buy drugs. Smith states that he is usually on meth late at night and he can’t always remember the exact locations of the vehicles he burglarized. Smith stated that he is friends with Johnny Kemp and that the night that detectives had surveillance on them they had Crystal Meth and were using methamphetamine. Detective Michelli asked Smith why the burglaries have slowed down as of the last week. Smith stated that he spotted the surveillance units and that made him extremely paranoid from the presence of what he suspected was undercover cops and the fact that he uses Crystal Meth. Smith stated most of the pawned items under his name are stolen. Lt Michelli observed that Smith was pawning new items also. Smith stated that he stole all of the most recently pawned items from local stores being Pat’s Lumber at 13533 Hooper Rd., Radio Shack at 10218 Sullivan Rd., and Wal-Mart at 10200 Sullivan Rd.

    The items stolen from Pat’s lumber included a drill and grinder totaling approximately $200.00, reported under file number 13-3269. Radio Shack’s theft was a scanner and the value was approximately $150.00, reported under file number 13-3270. Wal-Mart’s theft was of numerous hard drives and GPS’s totaling approximately $800.00 and reported under file #13-3272. All of these pawned items were placed on hold and detectives are in the process of trying to locate the victim for the items that are in pawn that, according to Cliffton Smith, are stolen.

    Cliffton Smith was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for the above listed charges.