Tuesday morning, November 10, 2020, just after 7:00 a.m., the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office received a report in relation to a suspicious vehicle.
Deputy Randy Kennedy began a canvas of the area and discovered that the door of a church located near Jeane Chapel Road and Haymon Loop was damaged and appeared to have been kicked in.
Detective David Vance responded to the call.
Contact was made with the pastor of the church and it was determined that in excess of $20,000.00 worth of electronics and musical equipment had been stolen. The area was continually canvased throughout the day in an effort to locate the suspicious vehicle from the earlier report.
The vehicle was found concealed behind a trailer in a mobile home park. Interviews with witnesses identified the driver of the truck as Johsua Keith Gaddis, 34, of Leesville, LA. Gaddis was located in a residence in the trailer park where he fled to a bedroom and attempted to conceal himself between the bed and wall with a bedding comforter. Detective Vance ordered Gattis to present himself and at that time Gaddis claimed to be have a firearm. Detective Vance continued to instruct Gattis to show his hands and ultimately Gaddis did comply.
Gattis was taken into custody and all of the property stolen from the church was recovered.
Gattis was arrested and charged with one count of Criminal Damage to Property, one count of Theft over $ 5000.00, one count of Simple Burglary, and one count of Criminal Trespassing. Bond was set at $ 34,281.00. A detainer for the Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole has been placed on Gattis and he remains in the VPSO jail.