Four individuals were arrested in Livingston Parish following two separate copper theft incidents. The arrests come after investigations into the theft of copper wiring, a crime that has become a recurring problem in the area.
The suspects were involved in stealing copper wire from construction sites and abandoned buildings, leading to their arrest and charges.
In the first incident, two Hammond men were arrested after allegedly stealing copper wire from a construction site.
The suspects, identified as 28-year-old Troy Austin and 30-year-old Justin Brooks, were found in possession of the stolen copper when they were stopped by law enforcement officers.
The men were charged with theft of metal, a crime that has been on the rise in Livingston Parish due to the high demand for copper in the scrap metal industry.
Authorities say that the copper wire was taken from a construction site that was under development in the parish.
The suspects are believed to have been targeting construction sites where copper wiring is often left unsecured, making it an easy target for thieves. After their arrest, Austin and Brooks were taken to the Livingston Parish Jail, where they are being held on bond.
In a separate incident, two more individuals were arrested in connection with another copper theft. This time, the theft occurred at an abandoned building that had been vacant for some time.
The suspects, 34-year-old Marcus Price and 26-year-old Erica Williams, were found by officers attempting to strip copper wiring from the building. Police say they had already removed a significant amount of copper before being caught by law enforcement.
The arrest of these four individuals highlights the ongoing issue of metal theft in the parish. Copper, in particular, is a high-value commodity in the scrap metal market, and its theft has led to significant losses for both businesses and property owners.
Authorities have urged residents to report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods, particularly near construction sites or abandoned properties, where copper theft is most common.
Livingston Parish authorities have been cracking down on metal theft in recent years, with several arrests made in similar cases. In addition to the criminal charges, those convicted of copper theft face heavy fines and the possibility of significant prison sentences.
The parish sheriff’s office has continued to encourage the public to stay vigilant and help in the fight against this crime by reporting any suspicious activity immediately.