After a bizarre break-in at Jennings High School, before classes began on Monday, police have 37-year-old Dillion Champagne in custody. Jennings Police Chief Danny Semmes said Champagne stole two vehicles, followed a custodian in the school, and held two employees at gunpoint, fortunately, no one was hurt.
“Thank goodness criminals aren’t that bright sometimes and this suspect actually left his driver’s license in the stolen car. That’s how initially we were able to determine that it was Dillion Champagne,” said Semmes.
Semmes said he couldn’t imagine the fear that the two employees experienced when Champagne confronted them with a gun and stole the keys to one of the employees’ cars.
“Cooler heads prevailed, and they were very fortunate not to be harmed in this encounter and I just thank the Lord it worked out for the best,” said Semmes.
After a 12-hour multi-law enforcement manhunt, Champagne was located thanks to a tip that he was seen on State Highway 97 about a mile from the school near the Jaenke Bridge.
“He admitted to being a methamphetamine user and I don’t know that he has an end game. He was rummaging through the school trying to find things to steal which at that point and time didn’t make much sense, but using drugs… one thing led to another,” said Semmes.
Champagne faces 18 charges ranging from criminal damage to property to attempted armed robbery and is being held in the Jefferson Davis Parish Jail.
Classes at Jennings High School were canceled Monday but have resumed today.
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