During the first week of January, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives received information from a contractor on Louisiana Highway 21 that a large amount of electrical wire had been stolen from his business.

The contractor had an alarm and video surveillance system at his business. The suspects were interrupted by the property owner, after the alarm system had alerted him. They fled, but were captured on video committing the theft.

The investigation led to the arrests of three Bogalusa men, who were placed in the Washington Parish Jail.

Brian Wheat, 50, a resident of Huron Avenue, was booked into the jail on a charge of principal to theft, with bond set at $5,000. He was released on bond. Louis James Crawford, 27, a resident of Avenue J, was booked into the jail on two counts of possession of stolen property, with bond set at $5,000. He remained in jail, as of Monday morning. Ricky Roach, 31, a resident of Jim Talley Road, was booked into the jail on one count of theft, one count of resisting an officer and one count of possession of Schedule IV drugs, with no bond. He remained in jail, as of Monday morning.

“No business owner should have to contend with thieves,” said Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal. “The alarm and video surveillance system were a big help to our detectives who were able to quickly identify the thieves and take them into custody.

“I congratulate the business owner for taking necessary steps to protect his business and I congratulate our detectives who were able to get these thieves into jail.”