NEWS

Pollock man accused of stealing copper from his job

By Melissa Gregory | mgregory@thetowntalk.com | (318) 792-1807
Christopher David Moreau

A plumbing company employee has been charged in the theft of copper from job sites around the area, and Rapides Parish Sheriff's detectives said more charges are possible.

Deputies had responded to the Pineville company on La. Highway 107 because it had reported a large amount of copper taken from sites through Central Louisiana. As detectives investigated, they discovered that the suspect was an employee, 32-year-old Christopher David Moreau of 290 Joiner Loop in Pollock.

Moreau allegedly had been stealing the copper from sites after jobs were finished, taking it to a local scrap yard to see. With the help of the scrap yard, detectives were able to identify Moreau.

Moreau turned himself in at the Deville substation after a warrant had been issued for his arrest. He was booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center and was charged with theft between $750 and $5,000.

The investigation, which so far found that Moreau allegedly scrapped about $3,500 worth of copper and other metals during his "several months of employment," is continuing, according to the release.

"Metal thefts still plague our area and areas all over the state," said Rapides Sheriff William Earl Hilton. "Our detectives work very closely with the local scrap yards in Rapides Parish and surrounding parishes, as well as other agencies to locate and arrest these suspects."