By Pat Culverhouse

Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office investigators followed a trail that began with discarded garbage and ended with the arrest of a parish man for stealing parts from equipment.

Sheriff Jason Parker said 52-year-old Damon Leon Prothro has been charged with felony theft for taking the parts with the intent of removing copper. He is also charged with possession of CDS Sch. II (methamphetamines). 

He is being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center where bond has been set at $25,000.

Maj. Bobby Igo III said investigators began looking into the theft which reportedly occurred at property on Dogwood Trail and during their search of the scene, a bag of discarded trash was discovered. 

Inside, detectives found various receipts which led them to places of business where surveillance video eventually helped identify a suspect.

Igo said a background check on their suspect, Prothro, revealed he was on parole for theft and was scheduled for a meeting at the local Probation and Parole office. He was picked up on a warrant and when his vehicle was searched, detectives found approximately 10 grams of suspected methamphetamines inside.

During questioning, Prothro reportedly admitted he stole eight radiators from equipment at Dogwood Trail, removed the copper and sold it at a scrap yard. He also reportedly admitted ownership of the methamphetamines.

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.

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