Four accused in Lake Charles vehicle burglary

The following is a Press Release from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office:

On April 2, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a home on N. Lake Court Drive in Lake Charles regarding a vehicle burglary where the victim reported two firearms stolen out of his unlocked vehicle.

Detectives with the CPSO Vehicle Crimes Unit conducted an investigation and linked Julian Mendoza, 17, of Lake Charles, to the vehicle burglary.  Mendoza, who was already incarcerated at the Calcasieu Correctional Center following a March 28 arrest by LCPD in connection with a residential burglary, was charged with simple burglary of a vehicle; and 2 counts of theft of firearms.

After further investigation, detectives also arrested Dakota C. Semien, 19, Brandon W. Smith, and Christopher R. Smith, 18, all of Lake Charles, in connection with the vehicle burglary.

Semien, Christopher Smith, and Brandon Smith were booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with simple burglary of a vehicle; and 2 counts of theft of firearms.

Judge Ron Ware set their bonds at $15,000 each.

One of the firearms that were reported stolen from the vehicle has been recovered.

CPSO Detective Kardel Guidry is the lead investigator on this case, assisted by Detectives Jake Cauvin and Chad Lejune.