By: CARISSA HEBERT

Managing Editor

Two Ville Platte men are each being held in the parish jail on $150,000 bonds after allegedly invading a home on Railroad Street in Ville Platte early Sunday morning.

Ville Platte Police Chief Neal Lartigue said two men have been arrested because the victim was familiar and knew who they were. She was able to assist authorities in the investigation of this case, which is ongoing. Authorities believe more arrests are likely in this case.

Charges of aggravated burglary, armed robbery, criminal damage to property and possession of an unidentified firearm have been filed against Charles E. Grace, 33, 904 Railroad St., Ville Platte, and Steven Ninski Frank, 17, 605 Laran St., Ville Platte. Grace also is facing charges of possession of a Schedule II narcotic after codeine was found on him.

Sgt. Joseph “Plywood” Fontenot, who was the detective assigned to this case, said the police department received a call at 2:30 a.m. Sunday, December 14, from the victim, who said someone had broken into her house. She was bound with duct tape, and she had a seven-month-old infant in the house with her. He said the suspects went through the house and took several items before leaving in a vehicle parked at the residence.

Fontenot said the victim was able to free herself. The victim was going to a relative’s home when she observed the vehicle coming back down the road. She hid and observed them go into Charles Grace’s residence. She watched as they unloaded items from her residence into the house.

Lartigue said the victim was able to get help at a nearby residence and the police were notified. He said the assistance of the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office was gained and officers surrounded the house on Railroad Street. He said several commands were given but no one came out the house. Authorities made entry and located two suspects hiding inside. He said one was in the bathtub and one was under a bed.

The attic door was open and authorities searched the attic but didn’t find anyone there. However, they did discover items stored there. Officers also discovered items stolen from the victim inside, and she was able to positively identify them. The victim also identified the two suspects as two of the three men inside her home. “The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are likely,” Fontenot added.

No one was injured in this incident.