Three people are facing charges in Terrebonne Parish after an investigation into people ripping wires down from poles to steal copper.
“Sheriff Tim Soignet announced the arrest of three suspects in connection with a series of copper wire thefts reported throughout Terrebonne Parish,” Lt. Blake Tabor said in a news release.
It started in Chauvin and Montegut where Deputies responded calls of a white male suspect allegedly using a truck to pull wire from utility poles, then fleeing with the stolen copper wire.
“During the investigation, Authorities learned of a video connected to the incident, which captured how the theft occurred. After reviewing the video evidence, investigators identified the suspect as Jason James Verdin Jr. of Montegut.”
There were additional reports of wire thefts across the parish.
“The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office… partnered with AT&T, to estimate the stolen property at over 6000 feet of arial cable, valued at more than $250,000 dollars,” Tabor explained.
He says they also developed information identifying at least two additional suspects.
“With assistance from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, search warrants were obtained for both residences, leading to the discovery of additional evidence connected to several copper wire theft investigations. Authorities subsequently identified the additional suspects as Skylar Brooke Ferrell, 25, of Montegut, and Justin Michael Verdin, 25, of Montegut.”
Sheriff Soignet said that the investigation remains ongoing and that additional arrests are highly likely.
“These types of investigations are often complex, time-consuming, and require tremendous teamwork from multiple agencies and divisions. I want to personally thank the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, along with the dedicated men and women of our Patrol and Investigative Divisions, for their outstanding work and commitment throughout this case.”
