Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: February 10, 2006

Phone: 318/673-6932 Fax: 318/673-6933

Contact: Kacee Hargrave, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Man arrested for cigarette thefts

(sent to media by e-mail)

A man known for breaking the glass windows and/or doors of convenience stores and stealing cigarettes was caught during a lengthy, low-speed chase this morning.

Charles Burns, 43, of Shreveport was arrested in the 2400 block of Carrie after being caught by police officers, who tried to stop him after he broke into the Diamond Shamrock in the 5400 block of W. 70th Street about 4 a.m. this morning. The pursuit lasted 19 minutes before the suspect was finally stopped.

About 75 packs of cigarettes were found throughout the car following Burns' arrest. He is also charged with two other business burglaries of the Diamond Shamrock in the 8800 block of Jewella. He is being investigated for numerous other cigarette thefts that were committed in a similar fashion.

Burns was booked into the Shreveport City Jail on three counts of business burglary and one count of flight from an officer. The investigation continues.

-spd-

View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews