ACADIA PARISH, La. (KLFY) -- Eight people were arrested and six more are wanted in connection with a string of off-road vehicle thefts in Acadia Parish, authorities said.

According to the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office, a total of 52 vehicles had been stolen over the past eight months, most of them in the northeast portion of the parish.  

Acadia Parish Sheriff KP Gibson said 40 of the 52 vehicles were recovered.

“We believe that some of these people are working together and we also believe that several  have been working independent of the others,” Gibson said. 

Arrested in these cases are:                                                  

• Manuel Vallier, 26, of Church Point 
• Brisken Pitre, 42, of Church Point 
• Nyllean Riggs, 18, of Church Point 
• Branesha Mouton, 28, of Opelousas 
• Juvenile, 17, of Church Point 
• Juvenile, 16, of Lafayette 
• Juvenile, 15, of Abbeville 
• Juvenile, 17, of Church Point  

Warrants have been issued for:  

• Cheyanne Ledet, 29, of Iota 
• Dillion Champagne, 37, of Eunice 
• Adonis Brooks, 44, of New Iberia 
• Stanley Varner, 26, of Fresno, Texas 
• Trevon Brooks, 26, of Carencro  
•  Juvenile, 17, of Church Point 

Charges range from theft to possession of stolen property, officials said. 

“We have increased manpower in the areas of these crimes as well as areas of car burglaries within the parish," Gibson said. "We would like to remind our residents to please secure your vehicles and remove valuables from them. Regarding the thefts of vehicles, ATV’s and 4-wheelers, we are urging residents to secure these types of vehicles and remove the keys from them. Thieves are looking for opportunities and if we make it easy for them, they will continue their crime spree. Please help us and yourself be removing keys from your vehicles.”

Exact charges and bond details were not released.

Latest news