FOUR CONFESS TO STEALING GOODS

Special to Signal March 6, 1930, Jennings, LA

Mrs. Aristile Prejean, 32, Mrs. Leon Latiolais, 28, Mrs. Junius Simmineaux 24, and Elton Prejean, 17 givng their home as the Lawtell settlement, nine miles west of Opelousas, were arrested on a charge of shoplifting some $150 worth of merchandise from various merchants.

The complaint was made by D.J. Castille and on their arrest, the merchandise was found in the new sedan they were driving. Various merchants called at the court house and identified most of the goods found. Mrs. Leah Kobbs loss totaled to about $40.

After vigorous questioning at the sheriffs office, the group admitted their guilt, it is said and was finger printed and placed in the parish jail.

According to the sheriffs report, the party had been operating for some time and had been shoplifting trips to Jennings, Crowley, New Iberia and Lafayette. The goods were taken home and sold to neighbors and negro families.

According to officers, the boy Elton Prejean, drove the car and the party would drive up before the store and the three women enter to shop. While the clerk was busy with one as a customer, the other two would wander around, secretly putting such goods under their clothes. The list Tuesday included shoes, stockings, mens and womens hats, dresses, shirts, etc. a wide assortment.

They claimed to be married and have families. They had a child with them about four or five years old who whiled away the time _______in questioning the group by smoking carelessly parked cigarette butts belonging to the officers and ________ them.