The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office (JPSO) has arrested four people in connection with a series of fuel and copper wiring thefts from pump stations on the West Bank.
Two of the suspects, Charles Dove, 54, of Harvey, and Mark Clark, 35, of Port Sulphur, were booked on Feb. 3. Authorities said the men allegedly stole hundreds of feet of copper wiring and 6,400 gallons of fuel from multiple pump stations.
The stolen fuel was reportedly sold to Tom Kahi Dinh, the owner of a marina in Jean Lafitte, who was also arrested and faces charges of receiving stolen property. Dinh has since been released on bond.
Dove and Clark face multiple charges, including criminal damage to critical infrastructure, theft valued over $25,000, and unauthorized entry of a business. A fourth suspect, Markell Mitchell, allegedly helped Clark and was booked on two counts of principal to theft valued over $25,000, as well as charges of criminal damage to critical infrastructure and unauthorized entry.
JPSO officials noted that copper theft has become a widespread problem in Jefferson Parish. Earlier this month, Councilman Deano Bonano reported that thieves removed copper from streetlights, causing nearly $500,000 in damage.
Investigators say approximately 70 light poles on the Earhart Expressway and additional poles along Earhart Boulevard, Nicolle Boulevard, Belle Chasse Highway, Destrehan Avenue, Holmes Boulevard, Leo Kerner Avenue, and Highway 90B have been damaged. The total number of affected streetlight poles in the parish is estimated between 250 and 300.
