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Stuart Pratt
Stuart Pratt

SLIDELL, La. (WGNO) – Thanks to a memorable softball jersey and some Facebook friends, a burglar in Slidell is now behind bars.

Stuart Pratt, 29, has been charged with one count of simple burglary.

On Monday May 5th, police responded to an alarm at a Slidell florist shop, Petal & Stems.  When they arrived a window had been broken and cash was missing from the register.

Luckily, Petal & Stems had a surveillance system.  Pratt was caught on camera wearing a jersey from a local softball team called “Ballz Deep.”  On the back of the jersey, Pratt was sporting his number, 33.

The Slidell Police Department posted stills from the video on their Facebook page, and within hours several people had identified Pratt as the burglar.

Warrants were issued, and Pratt turned himself in over the weekend.

“Once again, our citizens assisted us with taking another criminal off the streets,” said Slidell Police Chief Randy Smith.  “Having a good, clear surveillance camera for your business pays off, as was the case in this burglary.”