Lake Charles, LA –
On June 24 Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a boat launch located on Nelson Road in Lake Charles in reference to the theft of a catalytic converter that was stolen from a Chevrolet pickup truck.
During the initial investigation deputies found a cell phone that had been left at the scene, under the victim’s truck. After executing a search warrant on the phone detectives learned the phone belonged to Robert J. Northrop, 38, 7950 Clearview Drive, Lake Charles. Detectives continued their investigation and learned Northrop had recently sold a Chevrolet catalytic converter to a local business in Sulphur.
After further investigation, on July 15, detectives issued a warrant signed by Judge David Ritchie in the amount of $40,000 for Northrop’s arrest, charging him with theft $1,000 to $5,000; and simple criminal damage to property. On July 16 he was arrested by the Jennings Police Department and booked into the Jefferson Davis Parish Detention Center.
CPSO VCIU Detective Tyler McKnight is the lead investigator on this case.