By Pat Culverhouse

An investigation that began in December reached a successful conclusion with the arrest Monday of a 23-year-old Cullen man, according to Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker.

Quaychardius Kenyon Neal has been charged with theft of a firearm in connection with the incident where a weapon was reported stolen from the victim’s vehicle.

Parker said Sheriff’s Office Det. Chase Walsworth learned  the robbery victim and two friends had been “riding around” at the time the firearm allegedly was stolen. The victim reportedly provided the investigator with a photo of Neal posing with a firearm identical to the one stolen.

After being Mirandized for an interview at the Sheriff’s office, Neal reportedly admitted he took the weapon from the victim’s vehicle without permission, claiming “…it was just a bad decision.”

During further questioning, Neal reportedly told Det. Walsworth the firearm was inside his vehicle which was located in the Sheriff’s Office headquarters parking lot.

A waiver to search the vehicle reportedly was signed and the weapon was found under the driver’s seat. A serial number check confirmed it was the stolen weapon.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.