A 26-year-old resident of Johnny Martin Road near Franklinton was arrested Friday for the theft of a vehicle on Lawrence Creek Road, according to Chief Deputy Mike Haley of the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Using a combination of witness statements and investigative work, WPSO detectives were able to locate both the stolen vehicle and the thief at a residence in Bogalusa. The vehicle was hidden behind the residence and the license plate had been switched, Haley said.

Detectives arrested Joseph Carter and charged him with theft of the vehicle. Carter was charged also with possession of crystal meth and narcotic pills which were in his possession when the arrest was made. As of Tuesday, Carter remained in the Washington Parish Jail with his bond set at $7,500.

This is Carter’s fifth visit to the Washington Parish Jail, Haley said. Beginning with a 2015 arrest, his previous arrests were for traffic offenses, drug possession and failure to appear in court.

“Another thief in jail,” Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal said. “Congratulations to Captain Tom Anderson and his fine team of detectives for this successful capture.”