Suspect Arrested in Louisiana Downspout Thefts

A Metairie, La., man has been arrested after an investigation into the theft of copper downspouts from homes in the Old Metairie neighborhood.

The Times-Picayune reports Jefferson Parish sheriff’s deputies arrested Sean Boudreaux, 20, after his mother identified him in video footage taken at the home of one of the victims.

Thieves have been known to loot copper parts from houses, churches and even power stations, often selling it to scrap yards for cash. Sheriff’s deputies said they had recently received multiple complaints about the theft of copper downspouts, especially in Old Metairie.

Boudreaux is accused of taking downspouts from four houses. He was booked Wednesday with four counts of theft at the parish jail in Gretna and was released on bail.

It was unclear whether he has an attorney.