Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced detectives recovered over $4,000 of merchandise stolen from local department stores over the past six months. The items were discovered in the possession of Carl Wilkinson Jr. (age 35), who was found to have stolen at least two of the items.
In mid-April, detectives began investigating a theft of televisions from a Mathews department store. Detectives learned the same suspect was caught on camera stealing televisions. Through investigation, detectives identified the suspect as Carl Wilkinson Jr. and obtained a warrant for his arrest. Detectives also obtained a search warrant for a residence on West 133rd Street where Wilkinson was staying.
On May 11, detectives proceeded to the address and made contact with Wilkinson, and he was immediately taken into custody. Upon searching the residence, detectives discovered several like-new items along with the corresponding open boxes. When asked about the items, Wilkinson admitted they were stolen and admitted to stealing some of the items himself. Detectives also recovered both aforementioned televisions. Detectives learned the items had been stolen from the Mathews department store and a Galliano department store over the course of several months. After determining which stores from which the items were stolen, detectives learned the value of the items recovered was over $4,000.
Wilkinson was booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center on charges of Felony Theft of Goods and Illegal Possession of Stolen Things. His bond is set at $12,000.
Detectives say the investigation is continuing and additional charges are possible.
