SIBLEY — Four men have been arrested in an arson case that occurred in the late night hours of Monday, Aug. 10.
Ronald Hightower, 17, was charged with simple arson, conspiracy to commit arson, simple burglary, conspiracy to commit simple burglary and theft over $500.
Shelton Layfield, 24, was charged with simple arson, conspiracy to commit simple arson, burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary.
Cory Gordon, 23, was charged with felony theft, conspiracy to commit arson, simple burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary.
William Adkins, 19, was charged with simple arson, conspiracy to commit arson, simple burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary.
Sibley police chief Jeremy Robinson says the Sibley Fire Department was called to a Tharpe Lane residence in reference to a fire. He says immediately they suspected arson as the house had been vacant for the last couple of years and no electricity was hooked up.
“It happened around 10:30 at night,” he said. “The fire department got called out to 154 Tharpe Lane. We were investigating some shoplifting at Dollar General and got some information on the same individuals that we were looking for on the shoplifting may be responsible for the house fire and also another break-in and vandalism of a residence.”
During interviews at the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, Robinson says the four admitted to all three incidents.
They admitted to being responsible for a break-in and vandalism of a home on SE 1st Street, he said.
“They admitted to vandalizing it by spray-painting cabinets and countertops and the refrigerator,” he said. “They were also responsible for the house fire.”
He says they admitted to breaking into the house across the street from where they were living, which was for sale.
“Three of them were living together at one time,” Robinson said. “They broke into the house across the street and then went and set the house (on Tharpe Lane) on fire.”
Hightower, Layfield and Adkins were arrested Monday, Aug. 17, and Gordon was arrested Tuesday, Aug. 18. All four were arrested at the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office following questioning on the incidents.
All four were transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center for booking.
Editor’s note: Bonds and Shelton Layfield’s mugshot were not available at press time.
6 thoughts on “Four arrested in Sibley arson case”
dem dudes is getting off to a really bad start in their “adult” lives making really THUPID decisions.
It was 195 Tharpe Ln. Sibley, La we moved from there 3 years ago.
Well it’s really sad to me the home on se 1st belongs to my grandma that had passed away! So sad I hope they are punished without a doubt to the fullest
There’s really no excuse. To vandalize someone else’s property is just unthinkable. People work hard for what they have and to have it trashed by ppl who obviously has no respect for others or themselves is just unfathomable. I hope the punishment is harsh and swift.
That pic is not layfield
hightower looks like a dang alien and gordon reminds me of Curly from the Three Stooges, only not as purdy 😉