Alleged 'Hole in Wall' gang members nabbed

Three members of a drug store burglary gang have been arrested and a fourth is still at large, an Avoyelles Parish Sheriff Doug Anderson said. The arrests bring to an end the so-called “Hole in the Wall” gang that is believed to be responsible for a recent string of pharmacy burglaries in Avoyelles Parish and six other parishes.
The three suspects were arrested in Baton Rouge early today by APSO detectives. The string of burglaries dates back to January 2014.
All suspects face various numbers of charges of simple burglary of a pharmacy and criminal conspiracy. Those arrested are Shelton Broadway, 41, of Zachary, four counts each; Ladnell Womack, 27, of Baton Rouge, three counts each; and Keehsla Stagg, 39, of Baton Rouge, two counts each. Aaron Williams, hometown unknown, is wanted on three counts each and is considered to be a fugitive.
Anderson said search warrants were simultaneously served at three separate locations in Baton Rouge. Deputies seized items believed to have been used in the break-ins, as well as substances believed to be narcotics. The sheriff said detectives linked the suspects to the Avoyelles burglaries through various pieces of evidence collected at the scene of each drug store break-in.
Crucial evidence was collected by the Bunkie Police in the recent City Drug Store burglary.
During the course of the investigation, detectives became aware of several pharmacy burglaries in Rayne, Duson, Lafayette, Lasalle Parish and Assumption Parish. These break-ins were similar to the January burglary of Plauche Pharmacy in Simmesport, August burglary of Scallan Pharmacy in Plaucheville and the September burglaries of C&R Pharmacy in Moreauville and City Drug in Bunkie.
“We reached out to the respective law enforcement agencies and, through a coordinated effort, we were able to gather additional information and verify what we knew to secure arrest warrants on the group,” Anderson said. “We had information they needed and they had information we needed.”
Arrest warrants were also issued for charges in the other jurisdictions where pharmacies were robbed. Anderson said the investigation indicates the gang was targeting pharmacies in small municipalities and rural areas. The group then allegedly sold or distributed the stolen narcotics.
Individuals in the gang may have been involved in at least 17 known pharmacy burglaries in those six parishes. Those arrested have a history of violent crimes.

Anderson said Broadway has prior violent felony offenses and is currently on parole for two counts of armed robbery. Womack has numerous arrest and convictions for simple burglary. Stagg and Williams have priors for narcotics violations and armed robbery.

The suspects were booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail and returned to Avoyelles Parish to face charges. No bond has been set.

Avoyelles deputies were assisted in the investigation by the Rayne Police Dept., Louisiana State Police/CID/Region I, Baton Rouge Field Office and the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office.