Lake Charles, LA –
On April 11 at approximately 6:00 p.m. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Office deputies were dispatched to a boat launch in Vinton in reference to a theft of a catalytic converter.
During the initial investigation Vehicle Crimes Investigative Unit detectives and deputies with the CPSO Real Time Crime Center were able to identify two possible suspects, Dustin R. Landry, 33, and Joshua R. Hickman, 35, both of 1301 La Salette Avenue, Sulphur.
Detectives made contact with Landry and Hickman and during the interview they confirmed they had the catalytic converter from the vehicle at the boat launch and sold it. After a subsequent search of the vehicle they were traveling in detectives located burglary tools.
They were both arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with theft $1,000 to $5,000; and simple criminal damage to property. Judge Tony Fazzio set their bonds at $40,000.
CPSO VCIU Detectives Grant Strenth and Matthew Bean are the lead investigators on this case.
An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.