Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said a Natchitoches Parish man was arrested on theft charges Jan. 31 in Morganza by Louisiana Brand Commission Inspector Johnny Steib and Pointe Coupee Sheriff’s Detective Josh Adams.
Steven Leslie Jones, 32, of Natchez, Louisiana, was arrested after his truck was photographed by a hidden camera at a Pointe Coupee Parish crime scene.
Jones allegedly stole horse feed, welding equipment and power tools from a farm shed in Pointe Coupee Parish.
The farmer reported the theft to the Pointe Coupee Sheriff’s Office on Jan. 26. Because the crime was farm related, the Livestock Brand Commission was contacted Jan. 27. The farmer provided investigators with photos taken from a hidden camera he had located near the shed.
Jones turned himself in at the Pointe Coupee Sheriff’s Office Jan. 31 and was arrested.
Authorities recovered all of the farmer’s equipment, including an air framing gun, impact wrench, reciprocating saw, floor jack, welding leads, battery chargers and seven bags of horse feed.
Also recovered were two welding machines and two saddles stolen from a Baton Rouge residence.
The estimated value of the items taken in the Pointe Coupee theft was $1500.
Livestock Brand Commission personnel investigate all agricultural crime in Louisiana including theft of livestock, farm machinery and equipment.
All enforcement personnel are commissioned by Louisiana State Police and have full police powers in the performance of their duties.
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