Alexandria man arrested for auto theft, allegedly setting fire to local dealership

APD responded to a local car dealership on MacArthur Drive on February 24 as firefighters were on scene putting out a fire in the building.

Once the scene was secure, officers learned that someone had broken into the business and stolen over 100 vehicle keys, among other items, before starting the fire and stealing five cars from the lot.

Shortly after, around 7:15 a.m., officers were summoned to a disturbance involving an unwanted person at a nearby hotel in the 2800 block of MacArthur Drive.

Employees showed officers the man causing the disturbance, who was getting into a silver car and attempting to leave. The officers immediately recognized the vehicle as one stolen from the car dealership.

After a short pursuit, the man got out of the car and was initially compliant, but when officers went to place him in handcuffs, he became combative. After struggling to handcuff the man unsuccessfully, officers had to use a taser, after which the suspect complied and was handcuffed.

The man was identified as Christopher Mayeux, 32, of Alexandria. Upon a search of his person following his arrest, he was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia, commonly used to smoke methamphetamine. Mayeux was also covered in soot and smelled of smoke. Inside the car, officers found stolen property from the car dealership, including the remaining stolen keys.

Within a couple hours, the other four stolen cars were also found at different locations within approximately half a mile of the dealership. The cars were apparently stolen one at a time and driven a short distance.

"Yet again, I want to congratulate and thank our officers on Patrol Shift Delta for their excellent police work," said Chief Jerrod King. "Early on a Sunday morning, when most of us are still asleep or getting ready for church, these men and women are out on our streets and in our neighborhoods, working to make Alexandria better. Every day I'm more and more proud of the work our officers do. To Corporal Collins, Officer Helminger, Corporal Laborde, Sergeant Beaman, Corporal Deville, Corporal Fruge, Lieutenant Rachal and everyone on Delta Shift, Thank You and Great Job."

Mayeux was charged with five counts of theft of a motor vehicle, and one count of simple burglary, resisting an officer and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center. The Alexandria Fire Department said Mayeaux has also been charged with simple arson.