Mike Strain Commissioner | Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
Mike Strain Commissioner | Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
On January 31, personnel from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) reported a theft at the LDAF Plainview Tower building in Rapides Parish. The stolen items included a 2021 Honda ATV, a burn tank sprayer, a Stihl chainsaw, and a Stihl backpack blower.
The investigation led agents to information about the possible location of some stolen items. A search of nearby property resulted in the recovery of the Honda ATV and burn tank sprayer. Later that day, agents also found the stolen Stihl chainsaw and backpack blower.
Following these developments, Myron Houston, aged 27 from Plainview, was detained for burglary and four counts of felony theft. He is currently held by the Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office on unrelated charges. On February 5, George Perkins Jr., aged 50 from Plainview, was arrested for possession of stolen property and obstruction of justice related to this case.
The investigation successfully recovered all stolen items with an estimated total value of $9,900.00. The LDAF Forestry Enforcement Division expressed gratitude to both Rapides and Allen Parish sheriffs’ offices for their assistance during the investigation.
Both men are also held by Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office and Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office for several other unrelated violations in the area.
It is important to note that "all persons accused of any crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law."
LDAF encourages public reports on forestry-related crimes through their Office of Forestry at 225-925-4500 or via their 24-hour hotline at 1-855-452-5323.
For further details regarding this press release or interview requests, contact LDAFCommunications@ldaf.state.la.us or PressSecretary@ldaf.state.la.us respectively.
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