Four Arrested for Damage at Christmas Tree Farm in Pearl River, LA; One from Carriere
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s detectives have arrested four individuals following an investigation into criminal damage at a local Christmas tree farm.
On September 4, STPSO deputies responded to an incident of criminal damage at the Shady Pond Tree Farm located at 37226 Pine Street Extension, Pearl River. Several trees were split in half and damaged to the point they would not survive. Agents with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry assisted with the investigation and deployed cameras throughout the farm.
On September 24, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to another similar incident where more trees were destroyed. In total, 62 trees were damaged, valued at approximately $6,000. When agents with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry checked the cameras, four individuals were observed wandering throughout the farm.
Investigators were able to identify the four individuals from the surveillance footage, two of whom were juveniles. During interviews, investigators learned the act of destroying the trees is called "tree tackling." All four individuals were charged.
Two 16-year-olds, one from Carriere, Mississippi and one from Pearl River, were arrested on the following charges and released on custodial agreement:
L.R.S. 14:56.B.2 - Simple Criminal Damage to Property between $1,000 and $50,000 (felony);
L.R.S. 14:56.B.1 - Simple Criminal Damage to Property under $1,000 (misdemeanor);
L.R.S. 14:63 - Criminal Trespass (two counts).
Frank Deets II (DOB 4/4/2000; 65195 North Boulevard, Pearl River) was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail on the following charges:
L.R.S. 14:56.B.2 - Simple Criminal Damage to Property between $1,000 and $50,000 (felony);
L.R.S. 14:56.B.1 - Simple Criminal Damage to Property under $1,000 (misdemeanor);
L.R.S. 14:63 - Criminal Trespass (two counts);.
L.R.S. 14:92 - Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile
Wade Glass (DOB 5/15/2000; 29287 Sticker Bay Road, Lacombe) was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail on the following charges:
L.R.S. 14:56.2 - Simple Criminal Damage to Property between $1,000 and $50,000 (felony);
L.R.S. 14:63 - Criminal Trespass;
L.R.S. 14:92 - Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile.
This is an ongoing investigation, and more arrests are possible.
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office asks for the public’s help with any information related to the investigation.
Please contact Detective Zachary Bruno 985-726-7846 with information.
Public Information Officer - Contact Information
Deputy Meredith Timberlake – 985-809-8207 or meredithtimberlake@stpso.com
Assistant Public Information Officer - Contact Information
Deputy Suzanne Carboni – 985-809-8227 or suzannecarboni@stpso.com
