FOUR CONFESS TO STEALING GOODS
Special to Signal March 6, 1930, Jennings, LA
News Article from Adadia Parish
Submitted by Winston Boudreaux, 2006

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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 Kobb’s 
loss totaled to about $40.

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

According to the sheriff’s 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, men’s and women’s 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.