Stolen Purse From A Shreveport Church Leads to Arrest and Warrant

The Shreveport Police Department has arrested one individual and is actively searching for a second suspect after a theft that happened at a local church.

Last month, SPD Officers were Called about a theft during an event at Cypress Baptist Church on East Flournoy Lucas Road. The victim told Police her purse, that held her cell phone, wallet, identification, Social Security card, debit cards, jewelry, and gift cards was stolen. The estimated value of the stolen property is around $1,100.

During the investigation, detectives learned the victim, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, had accidentally left her purse unattended at a table when rain forced people to move indoors.

Camera footage from the church captured a suspect, later identified as Justin Gould, walking through the daycare area carrying the victim’s yellow purse. The footage further shows Gould placing the purse inside a car in the parking lot before leaving with a second suspect, identified as Cherokee Danae Young.

While the victim was still at the church, her son received alerts of suspicious transactions on her debit card from his phone. Investigators found out Gould and Young used the stolen debit card at multiple businesses, including Sonic, Jim’s Grocery, Family Dollar, Dollar General, and Twin City Smoke Shop. The suspects attempted charges totaling $649.87, with $345.75 successfully processed before the card was deactivated. Additional footage from several of these businesses was taken as evidence.

An arrest warrant was signed by a Judge for Gould for one count of theft and one count of access device fraud. The warrant was issued with no bond. A separate warrant was issued for Young for one count of access device fraud (misdemeanor).

Late last week, Gould turned himself in. During questioning, Gould admitted that he and Young used the stolen debit card at multiple locations until it was deactivated, after which they discarded the purse and its contents in the trash.

From SPD:

"The Shreveport Police Department is actively searching for Cherokee Danae Young in connection with this case.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to contact the Shreveport Police Department or Caddo Crime Stoppers at (318) 673-7373."