Lake Charles, LA –
On December 4, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a home off Gold Finch Way in Moss Bluff in reference to a stolen vehicle.
During the initial investigation deputies were advised a gun and debit card were stolen along with the vehicle. While deputies were investigating, they learned three additional vehicle burglaries occurred in the same area in Moss Bluff, where several items were stolen including electronics, cash, and tools.
After further investigation, it was discovered the suspects used the stolen debit card at two different locations, one in Moss Bluff and one in Lake Charles. Detectives were able to obtain surveillance video from the businesses and learned the same suspects seen using the stolen card where the same individuals seen on home surveillance footage at the locations of the vehicle burglaries. Detectives were able to identify a suspect vehicle, which was seen later the same day. When deputies conducted a traffic stop on the car they located the two women, identified as Alexis N. Yarbrough, 22, and Brooke A. Woffard, 23, both of Sulphur, who were seen on surveillance videos. Deputies also located some of the stolen items inside the car. Following a search of their residence, detectives were able to recover the stolen firearm.
Yarbrough and Woffard were arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with 4 counts of simple burglary; theft of a firearm; 2 counts of theft less than $1,000; 2 counts of theft between $1,000 - $5,000; theft of a motor vehicle; identity theft; and criminal property damage over $1,000. Judge Tony Fazzio set Yarbrough’s bond at $143,000 and Woffard’s bond at $143,400.
The stolen vehicle was later located in the 900 block of Cherry Street in Lake Charles.
CPSO VCIU Detectives James Jones, James Rathke, and Chris Scharp are the lead investigator on these cases.
An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.