Morris Cortez Jr.
July 19, 2007Imogene Smith
July 23, 2007
A Galliano teen is facing multiple charges in connection with breaking into a funeral home, laundromat and church, a Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office reported.
Golden Meadow police arrested David Jeblonski, 17, of 177 East 123rd St., last Monday for auto theft and simple escape. Officers learned the Galliano teen was wanted by the sheriff’s office for two counts each of simple burglary and simple criminal damage to property, and simple arson. The Lafourche Parish charges stemmed from the June break-in at Falgout’s Funeral Home.
According to investigators, while the staff was away on business, Jeblonski and others broke into the funeral home and damaged 10 caskets.
“The caskets appear to have been hit with a hammer taken from a toolbox and will need to be replaced,” Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Larry Weidel told the Tri-Parish Times after the incident. “It also appeared that several of the caskets were laid in.”
A window was also broken and a fire was extinguished in a trashcan. Keys to the building, the fire extinguisher and a crucifix were also stolen.
Jeblonski was booked at the Lafourche Parish Detention Center. His bond was set at $30,000.
Last Wednesday, the teen confessed to other crimes in the South Lafourche area. Jeblonski told detectives he had burglarized the funeral home twice; a laundromat on West 163rd Street in Galliano twice; stolen a bicycle; burglarized a church on East 123rd Street in Galliano; and stolen a Jeep Cherokee in Galliano. He implicated another person in the funeral home case and the theft of the Jeep, authorities said.
Jeblonski also admitted to burglarizing a vehicle on West 133rd Street in Galliano along with another person, and steeling a golf cart and possible a four-wheeler.
On Tuesday, District Judge Jerome Barbara issued four more arrest warrants for Jeblonski’s arrest on two counts of burglary, burglary of a religious building and theft. A $5,000 bond was placed on each count, bringing the teen’s total bond to $50,000.
