Louisiana State Police Recover More Stolen Equipment

The Louisiana State Police reports that its Region 1 detectives have recovered additional stolen farm and construction equipment after further investigation into a case in which two suspects had already been charged with the theft of $250,000 worth of heavy equipment.

The discovery of additional items brings the total value of recovered equipment to $440,000, the LSP said.

The LSP reported previously that a multiagency investigation involving the Mississippi Agricultural Theft Bureau (MATB), Albany Police Department, Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, National Insurance Crime Bureau, and Louisiana State Police Region 1 detectives had resulted in the arrest of two suspects charged with the possession of $250,000 in stolen equipment from the Mississippi area.

The stolen equipment included John Deere tractors, zero-turn mowers, trucks, and trailers taken from several John Deere dealerships.

A joint investigation with the Albany Police Department resulted in the arrest of Homer G. Hess of Kentwood, La., and his accomplice Devon Lipson of Jackson, Miss., who were charged with possession of the stolen property.

Based on information provided by Homer G. Hess and an anonymous caller, the LSP said it was able to recover additional items, including include a 30 foot gooseneck trailer, an 18 foot flatbed trailer, X-mark and Dixie Chopper zero-turn mowers, and a utility trailer.

Source: Louisiana State Police, www.lsp.org