A Ville Platte man visiting his mother on her birthday returned home to find his home had been burglarized and set on fire.

This was just one of several burglaries and break-ins that have occurred in the Ville Platte area over the past several weeks.

Allen Poullard works part time at the Eunice City Marshals office.

Poullard says three handguns and a bullet proof vest were stolen from his home, before the suspects threw a lit cigarette on his couch, causing the blaze.

"I don't cause anybody problems. I come home and do what I have to do. Try to take care of the place because it's a family home, and this is what I come home to" said Poullard.

Ville Platte Police say they are trying to locate a suspect in connection to some of the burglaries in town. The Evangeline Sheriff Department says they've arrested a person who may have ties to burglaries inside the city.