LIVINGSTON PARISH — A Lafayette man broke into three Livingston Parish homes in one day and stole nearly $40,000 worth of property, according to the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Jason Ard said the burglaries happened Jan. 23 in Denham Springs, Livingston and Holden. Livingston Parish deputies arrested Rashon Sterling, 26, but Ard said more arrests could come in the future. 

In Denham Springs, Sterling allegedly forced his way into a home and took a purse, coins and rare bills.

In Livingston, he broke into a home and a vehicle and took a gun, cash and a safe, deputies said.

From the home in Holden, he allegedly stole another gun and safe.

"Almost $40,000 was taken from the 3 sites," Ard said.

LPSO said it appeared that the suspect or suspects scoped out the homes before entering. Detectives also learned similar burglaries were happening in neighboring areas and states around the same time. 

Deputies linked a 2018 Mercedes-Benz with no license plate to the string of burglaries. According to the sheriff's office, that car led them to Sterling. 

"Working with our partner agencies, suspect Rashon Sterling was identified and tied to the vehicle," Ard said. "More arrests and charges could be forthcoming as detectives continue to investigate."

Sterling was booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center. He faces three counts of simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling and one count of simple burglary of a vehicle.