HARRISON COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX) – Logan Allan D’Elena, a 29-year-old man from Saucier, has been sentenced to life in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections as a habitual offender. This follows his conviction for burglary of a dwelling and grand larceny related to a 2022 theft.
The crime took place in December 2022, when D’Elena visited a victim’s property on Turan Road. According to testimony and surveillance footage presented at trial, D’Elena initially approached the victim under the pretext of inquiring about forestry equipment. He was shown a mulcher and stump grinder, and spent about two hours at the property, taking photos and talking business. He even left a business card with the victim before leaving.
Later, D’Elena returned to the property after the victim had left, hiding in the trees until the coast was clear. He then drove a Ford F-150 onto the property and made off with the victim’s utility trailer, mulcher, and stump grinder. A neighbor witnessed the truck leaving the scene and contacted the victim, leading to the 911 call.
When law enforcement arrived, they found the home had been broken into, ransacked, and a safe had been sawed open. At least 15 firearms and thousands of dollars in ammunition were stolen. Investigators later found that D’Elena had traded the stolen equipment for a motorcycle and cash. While the forestry equipment was returned, the firearms were never recovered.
D’Elena was identified as a habitual offender due to three prior felony convictions for burglary of a dwelling, a violent crime. He was also facing additional pending felony charges. Due to his extensive criminal history, D’Elena received the maximum penalty: life in prison, to be served consecutively to a 25-year sentence for his previous convictions.
