PINEVILLE, La. (KALB) — Matthew Wesley Johnson, a 43-year-old Pineville man, has been arrested on multiple charges following an investigation into a stolen vehicle incident, according to the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office (RPSO).
The investigation began on March 26, 2025, when RPSO deputies responded to a call from a victim who reported that their vehicle was missing from an automotive shop in Pineville. The victim had taken the car to the shop for repairs, but the work had not been completed, and the vehicle was no longer there.
Detectives discovered that there had been previous incidents linked to this same automotive shop. After an investigation, Matthew Wesley Johnson was identified as a suspect.
The stolen vehicle was eventually recovered at a local vehicle recycling center, where vehicles are crushed. Johnson was arrested on March 28, 2025, and charged with theft of a motor vehicle (greater than $1,000 but less than $5,000), criminal damage to property (greater than $1,000 but less than $50,000), and driving under suspension (misdemeanor). He was later released on a $10,500 bond.
Further investigation revealed that Johnson was also connected to two additional vehicles that had been taken to a local recycling center to be crushed. On April 1, 2025, a Louisiana State Trooper located Johnson during a traffic stop. He was arrested again, this time on charges of theft of a motor vehicle (greater than $1,000 but less than $5,000 and greater than $5,000 but less than $25,000), two counts of criminal damage to property, and several driving violations. He was released on April 4 after posting a $20,300 bond.
The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office believes there may be more victims related to these vehicle thefts. Anyone with further information about the case or who believes they may be a victim is encouraged to contact the RPSO Tioga Substation at 318-641-6005.
