Suspect Arrested in Multi-Vehicle Theft
class=”alignleft size-full wp-image-39252″ src=”http://klax-tv.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Keith-Wayne-Ranburger-mug.jpg” alt=”Keith-Wayne-Ranburger-mug” width=”200″ height=”257″ />On July 30th, 2014, Deputies responded to a complaint of a stolen Polaris RZR side by side ATV from the Pineville area. The victim stated he had been contacted at his residence by two white males the day before that were looking to buy parts for a Polaris. The next day, the ATV was missing from his shed.
Detectives from the Tioga Sub-station initiated their investigation into yet another ATV theft. The investigation led Detectives to multiple jurisdictions. With cooperation from the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, Caldwell Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Lake Charles Police Department, Detectives were able to locate and recover 3 Polaris ATV’s including the one from Pineville, a pop up camper stolen from Lake Charles and a Chevrolet truck stolen from Mamou.
During the investigation, Detectives were able to develop a suspect that was common in all the cases. Authorities learned that the suspect, identified as Keith Wayne Ranburger, would make contact with people who have items for sale under the pretense of buying the item, or as his business as a “Repo Man”, then return later and take the item.
On August 6th, 2014, Detectives located Ranburger and he was arrested in connection with these thefts. Ranburger was booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center and remains there on a $300,000.00 on these charges.
“This has been a lengthy investigation that is not over yet. I want to commend our Detectives for the work they have put into this case” said Sheriff William Earl Hilton. “We work hard to recover citizens stolen property and we follow the leads where they take us. In this case, from one corner of the state to the other.”
Detectives say the investigation is still ongoing and more arrests are expected. Detectives also believe other potential victims may have been contacted. If anyone has information regarding Ranburger or have been contacted by him recently, please contact the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division, Main Office Detectives at 318 473 6727 or Tioga Detectives at 318 641 6000.
