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The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office Detective Division arrested two men on Wednesday, charging each with five counts of burglary of a vehicle and four counts of criminal trespass, according to WPSO Chief Deputy Mike Haley.

Both Richard Earl Creel, Jr., 19, a resident of Highway 60 and Michael D. Sawin, 31, a resident of Highway 424, remain in the jail on those charges. Additionally, Creel is charged with failure to appear in court. His bond is set at $25,000. Sawin’s bond is $15,000.

This is Sawin’s first stay in the Washington Parish Jail. Creel was arrested in July this year on a charge of possession of illegal drugs. After staying in the jail for three days, he was released after posting a $3,500 bond.

The arrests came after an investigation into a series of vehicle burglaries that occurred west of Bogalusa. While reviewing security camera footage of the suspects, WPSO detectives Kody Glenn and Damon Mitchell were able to identify Creel and Sawin, as well as the vehicle they were using for transportation. The Bogalusa Police Department assisted WPSO detectives in solving the crimes.

This is an ongoing investigation and it is possible more arrests may be made, Haley said.

Sheriff Randy Seal commented, stating, “Thieves are a thorn in the side of every honest citizen. They are too lazy to work and are always wanting what someone else has worked for. I remind all citizens to lock their vehicles at all times they are not in use.”