Three suspects arrested for stealing 18-wheelers

Three Marksville residents have been arrested and two more suspects are being sought in a joint investigation of a robbery ring believed to be responsible for the theft of three 18-wheelers and a farm tractor. Those arrested were Gerard Paul Marcotte Jr., 32, of 874 N. Main St.; Scott Aymond, 28, of 521 Roy St.; and Laken Guillot, 19, of La. Hwy 1194. The investigation is a joint operation of the Avoyelles and Rapides sheriff’s departments.
The suspects have been charged with three burglaries in the Bunkie area and one in the Mansura area.
APSO Detective Dan Schaub said the case began in February, when an 18-wheeler was stolen.
Deputies reported that an 18-wheeler was stolen in Bunkie on the night or early morning of Feb. 9-10. State Police Troop E recovered the truck the next day at the Oasis Truck Stop on U.S. 71 near LSUA.
The suspects are also accused of stealing two other 18-wheelers and a trailer in Lecompte. One was taken from Leebo’s convenience store and was recovered in the same area. A few days later, on April 21, a tractor-trailer rig was taken from Leebo’s. The truck was found in a North Main Street trailer park. The trailer was recovered at L.J.’s Casino in Mansura.
The trio are also suspected in the April 19 theft of a John Deere farm tractor in the Cocoville area. The tractor has not been recovered.
Marcotte was arrested April 22 by APSO and charged with two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, criminal trespassing, two counts of theft, two counts of criminal damage to property and simple burglary.
RPSO charged Marcotte with two counts of criminal damage to property less than $500, one count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, one count of theft of a motor vehicle greater than $1,500, criminal damage to property between $500 and $50,000, four counts of simple burglary and four counts of criminal trespassing.
Aymond,was charged by APSO with theft, criminal trespassing, theft of a motor vehicle and burglary.
RPSO charged Aymond with two counts of simple burglary, one count of criminal damage to property less than $500, theft of a motor vehicle greater than $1,500, two counts of criminal trespassing, one count of criminal conspiracy and one count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
Guillot was charged by APSO and RPSO with possession of stolen things, principal to burglary of a motor vehicle and principal to theft. Guillot’s charges are based on her allegedly having knowledge of and being present when the crimes were committed.
Aymond and Guillot were both arrested on April 25.
All three were first booked into Avoyelles Detention Center #1 and then transferred to the Rapides Parish Detention Center on April 27.
Bonds on the Avoyelles charges total $89,500 for Marcotte, $20,000 for Aymond and $15,000 for Guillot.
Schaub said the investigation is continuing. At least two more arrest warrants have been issued but no additional arrests have been reported.