Four copper theft suspects arrested

By Vershal Hogan (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Saturday, December 5, 2009

VIDALIA — Four people were arrested in connection to thefts of copper wiring reportedly worth thousands of dollars following an investigation that started after a driver nearly crashed into a Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Deputy.

According to a news release from the CPSO, the 1997 Plymouth Voyager van driven by Joshua Nathaniel Green, 26, 504 Elm St., Vidalia, nearly collided head on with the vehicle driven by CPSO Capt. Eddie Poole on Louisiana 565 in Monterey Thursday morning.

Poole was reportedly forced to the shoulder of the road, but was able to pursue and stop the van within a mile and a half of the incident.

Inside the van were several rolls of copper wiring, and narcotics were also found in the vehicle.

Green reportedly admitted to having a loaded pistol on his person, and a CPSO jailer later reportedly found a narcotics smoking pipe in Green’s shoe, the release said.

Further investigation led to the arrest of Tom David Jones, 40, 106 White Lane, Wildsville, for the theft of the copper, and the press release said two others — Mary H. Pecanty, 25, 215 Poole Road, Monterey, and Laura A. Webre, 38, 106 White Lane, Wildsville — were later arrested for allegedly trying to hide evidence.

Pecantly allegedly had illegal narcotics as well, the release said.

According to the release, by Thursday night thousands of dollars worth of copper wiring that may have been stolen from Natchez, Adams county, St. Francisville and Jonesville had been recovered, as well as a set of scales used to weigh mechanical equipment.

The scales were reportedly found at Jones’ residence, and had reportedly been stolen from Scott Truck and Tractor recently.

“Captain Poole opened this theft case wide open with that single traffic stop,” Concordia Parish Sheriff Randy Maxwell said. “I appreciate his hard work and that of everyone involved in breaking this case.”

Maxwell also thanked the Adams County Sheriff’s Office for assistance in the case.

The suspects in the case were charged as follows:

4 Green was charged with felony theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, careless operation and possession of schedule IV narcotics.

4Jones was charged with felony theft and probation violation.

4Pecanty was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, obstruction of justice, possession of schedule IV narcotics and possession of schedule II narcotics with intent to distribute.

4Webre was charged with obstruction of justice.