Rash of Vehicle Burglaries in Slidell – 2 Arrested

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith is urging residents to lock their car doors following a rash of vehicle burglaries which occurred last week in the Slidell area.

Detectives with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Burglary Unit have arrested two Mississippi men in connection with the more than 10 unlocked vehicles that were burglarized last week in the Bluffs neighborhood near Slidell.

One of the men responsible, 32 year-old Grant Johnson of Picayune was located Thursday (July 11, 2024)) morning still in the area after an approximate two-hour search. He was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center. The second individual was identified by STPSO Burglary Unit detectives as 30 year-old Matthew Loveless. He was located late Friday (July 12, 2024) night at a Picayune-area residence and was booked into the Pearl River County Jail as a fugitive out of St. Tammany.

Five firearms were taken during the burglaries. Detectives have recovered two of those guns but believe the rest have already been traded for illegal narcotics. All vehicles that were burglarized had been left unlocked, and detectives believe there may be more victims who have not made a report.

“Vehicle burglaries are crimes of opportunity,” Sheriff Smith said.  “No matter how quick of a trip you may be making or how safe your neighborhood is, it is imperative to always lock your car doors and to never leave firearms or valuables in your vehicle.”

Anyone who believes they may be the victim of an unreported vehicle burglary in the Bluff’s neighborhood, is asked to contact the STPSO Burglary Unit at (985) 726-7832.