Louisiana Woman Arrested for Allegedly Stealing Vehicles From Two Elderly Victims, Other Arrests Likely

Leesville, Louisiana - On November 25, 2022, Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft announced the arrest of Kyrie Burnley, 36, of Leesville, Louisiana.

On October 15, Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office received an allegation of a motor vehicle theft from an 89-year-old male who employed Burnley as a caregiver. The Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office indicated that they prepared warrants in the matter immediately after learning of the theft. Burnley was listed as a wanted person in the NCIC (National Crime Information Center), and the vehicle was reported stolen.

The Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office got a secondary report regarding another stolen vehicle on November 23. Deputies responded and discovered that an 80-year-old mobility-impaired male's truck, as well as some pain medicine, had been stolen from his home. Deputies learned that the second victim was the first victim's next-door neighbor. Witnesses said Burnley arrived on the scene before the second vehicle went missing.

Warrants for both the burglary and vehicle theft were then prepared.

The second vehicle was discovered in Beauregard Parish on November 25. The wheelchair lift had been disassembled and placed in the truck's bed. Deputies received information on November 25 that Burnley had returned to the first victim's residence near Phillip James Road. Deputies arrived at the home and sought to contact Burnley. Deputies reportedly recognized Burnley when she looked out the window of her home. Deputies discovered that the first victim's grandson was also inside the home. Burnley's boyfriend was revealed to be the first victim's grandson.

The male subject left the residence before the search warrant could be issued. Burnley was arrested shortly after leaving the property. Burnley was charged with one case of Simple Burglary, two charges of Exploitation of the Infirmed, two counts of Theft of a Motor Vehicle, and one count of Resisting Arrest. A bond had not yet been set at the time of this report.

A witness supplied information regarding the first vehicle's theft. Burnley allegedly fraudulently sold the 89-year-old victim's automobile in Arkansas, according to detectives. Burnley was also discovered to have allegedly made multiple fraudulent charges using the 89-year-old victim's credit cards.

The investigation is still underway, and further arrests are likely. Burnley is still being held in the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.