On Saturday, March 14, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office Deputy Raymond Myers responded to a report by a property owner on Louisiana Highway 1074 that a significant amount of scrap metal had been stolen from his property.

Stolen property included I-beams, stainless steel decking and other items.

The property owner provided a license plate number on a white pickup truck. The truck was registered to Joshua Z. May, 22, a resident of Otzenberger Road in Bogalusa.

While attempting to locate May, Myers discovered that May had sold a significant amount of scrap metal to Rome’s Recycling in Bogalusa. The total value of the stolen items was approximately $10,000, and the owner identified the items as his.

While searching for May, the deputy observed a white pickup making a U-turn on Highway 21 south of Bogalusa. He recognized May as the driver, stopped and arrested him. May was processed, charged with two counts of theft and transported to the Washington Parish Jail.

Sheriff Randy Seal complimented Myers on the quick arrest.

“Within 24 hours of the initial report, Deputy Myers located the stolen property, arrested the thief and placed him in jail,” Seal said. “I congratulate him on a job well done.”