VIDALIA — Deputies arrested a juvenile Thursday in connection with a string of 14 car burglaries across Concordia Parish last week.

The burglaries happened just after 3 a.m. April 15, and all of the vehicles were unlocked at the time of the theft.

Concordia Parish Chief Deputy David Hedrick said more arrests are expected in the case and would give little information regarding the arrest, because the suspected burglar is a minor.

The burglaries began on Black Bayou Road early Sunday morning and then to Grape Street, Fisherman Drive, Plum Street, Apple Street and Peach Street.

Four cars were burglarized on Grape Street alone.

Hedrick cautioned residents in the parish to keep their car doors locked and to keep valuables out of sight in cars.

Often, Hedrick said, residents become complacent and leave debit cards, purses or other valuables in plain sight in their parked, unlocked vehicles.

“Especially in public places,” Hedrick said. “Don’t leave your purse on the front seat at Walmart.”

In many instances of car burglary, Hedrick said a would-be thief will “jiggle” the handle of a car to see if the vehicle is unlocked. If the doors are secure, the burglar will move on to another vehicle.

“Some people think if they lock their doors a burglar will break out the window,” Hedrick said. “Normally, that’s not the case.”

Hedrick commended the deputies who worked the case, saying they worked beyond their duties not only to respond to the incidents but also to solve them.

In particular, Hedrick said he wanted to commend deputies Walter Mackel, Chris Goad and William Barnes.

“I am very proud of my patrol shift,” he said.

Investigator Phillip Smith, who is working on the burglary case, said last week that the alleged burglars left a “plethora” of evidence behind in the vehicles and that more arrests are expected soon.