Man arrested in Tioga for trespassing and property damage

TIOGA, La. (WNTZ) — A Ball man has been arrested in connection with a trespassing and criminal damage case after allegedly destroying gates on private levee property and falsely claiming to be a law enforcement officer, according to the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office.

On April 27, patrol deputies responded to a report of trespassing and property damage in the 4600 block of Rigolette Road in Tioga. The property owner reported that someone had entered their land without permission and caused significant damage to multiple gates along the levee.

The case was assigned to detectives from the Tioga Substation for further investigation. Through their inquiry, investigators identified the suspect as James Richard Barlow, 34, of Ball. Detectives established probable cause to obtain arrest warrants for Barlow on the following charges: three counts of criminal trespassing, three counts of criminal damage to property valued between $1,000 and $50,000, and one count of theft under $1,000.

Additionally, detectives received a statement from a witness who reported that Barlow had identified himself as a peace officer while trespassing. Based on this information, authorities obtained a warrant for false personation of a peace officer.

Barlow was located and arrested without incident at his residence on April 28. He was booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center and released on April 30 after posting a $31,000 bond.

The investigation is ongoing.

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.