Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of Michael Matherne (age 41) of Larose after a woman caught him inside her vehicle in the parking lot of a Galliano store. Just after 7pm on Tuesday, August 2, deputies responded to a department store parking lot in Galliano. They made contact with a woman who had reportedly walked out of the store and found a male subject inside her vehicle. The woman confronted the man who then ran away from the scene. Later, just before 11 p.m., deputies responded to a call of a suspicious person on a bicycle at a Galliano convenience store. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with the man who matched the description of the subject involved in the vehicle burglary, and he was identified as Michael Matherne. When questioned about the incident, Matherne admitted to burglarizing the vehicle. He was arrested and transported to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux where he was booked with one count of Simple Burglary of a Motor Vehicle. His bond is set at $25,000.

Sheriff Webre said that while this case had a positive outcome, he cautions citizens about confronting criminals. “We certainly understand a citizen wanting to confront a potential burglar, but we must caution the public about doing so,” said Sheriff Webre. “There is no way of knowing that person’s intentions, whether they are armed with a dangerous weapon, or whether the situation will escalate into something more dangerous. While the victim in this particular encounter was not harmed, the next victim might not be so lucky. If you encounter such a crime in progress, dial 9-1-1, and we will respond appropriately.”