3 Sulphur Men Arrested for Multiple Catalytic Converter Thefts

Published December 28, 2021

Sulphur, LA – Between December 6 and 16, 2021, detectives from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office’s Vehicle Crimes Investigative Unit responded to four different locations in Sulphur in connection with the theft of catalytic converters from a total of 12 vehicles, according to the CPSO.

During the initial inquiry, officers discovered that Johnathan A. Guidry, 29, of Sulphur, had just scrapped four catalytic converters that matched those stolen. Shannan L. Istre, 43, and Nathan T. Burnett, 41, both of Sulphur, were also possibly involved in the catalytic converter thefts, according to detectives. Detectives met with all three suspects between December 17 and December 20. Guidry admitted to being the perpetrator of all 12 thefts while speaking with detectives. When authorities asked Istre and Burnett about the thefts, they said they were only involved in two of the thefts from businesses.
All three individuals were arrested and taken to the Calcasieu Correctional Center. Guidry is charged with 12 counts of theft; 12 counts of simple criminal damage to property. Istre and Burnett are charged with 6 counts of theft; 6 counts of simple criminal damage to property. Burnett is additionally charged with possession of CDS II; and introduction of a CDS into a penal facility.

Judge Tony Fazzio set Guidry’s bond at $160,500. Judge Mike Canaday set Istre’s bond at $60,000 and Burnett’s bond at $85,000.

During the course of the investigation, detectives discovered that the suspects are also responsible for a number of additional catalytic converter thefts in Sulphur, which are being investigated by the Sulphur Police Department.

CPSO VCIU Detectives Grant Strenth, Kyle Miers, and Matthew Bean are the lead investigators on these cases.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.