Thibodaux teen convicted

The testimony of two witnesses helped prosecutors convict a Thibodaux teenager of simple burglary last week in a two-day trial in Judge Walter Lanier’s courtroom.

Dylan Folse, 18, was arrested in January after a witness claimed to have discovered Folse in the process of breaking into a vehicle parked on Maple Street in Thibodaux.

Folse did not take anything from the vehicle, because he was seen, but he fled and was chased by the witness and the owner of the truck, according to the Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s Office.

The witness and victim confronted Folse about a block away from the truck before he fled again, prosecutors said. Soon after, Thibodaux Police apprehended Folse, who was 17 at the time.

Rene Gautreaux prosecuted the case and used the testimony of the witness and victim to obtain a guilty verdict.

“We are certainly glad that this did not become a more dangerous situation, considering that the defendant was caught in the act,” District Attorney Cam Morvant II said. “But the prompt action of both witnesses certainly resolved this case quickly, and perhaps prevented more car burglaries.”

Sentencing is set for Sept. 15 at 9 a.m. Simple burglary carries a possible sentence of up to 12 years in prison, with or without hard labor, and a $2,000 fine.