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Lost Phone Leads to Arrest of Lake Charles Man for Theft of Catalytic Converter

Published July 19, 2021

A Lake Charles man has been arrested for the alleged theft of a catalytic converter after he reportedly left his phone at the scene of the crime.

From the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, Lake Charles, LA – Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a boat launch located on Nelson Road in Lake Charles On June 24, 2021. The call was in reference to the theft of a catalytic converter that was stolen from a Chevrolet pickup truck.

A cell phone that had been left at the scene, under the victim’s truck was found by CPSO deputies during the initial investigation. Detectives learned the phone belonged to Robert J. Northrop, 38, of Lake Charles after executing a search warrant on the phone. Detectives later learned that Northrop had recently sold a Chevrolet catalytic converter to a local business in Sulphur.
After further investigation, on July 15, detectives issued a warrant signed by Judge David Ritchie in the amount of $40,000 for Northrop’s arrest, charging him with theft of $1,000 to $5,000; and simple criminal damage to property.

On July 16, 2021, Northrop was arrested by the Jennings Police Department and booked into the Jefferson Davis Parish Detention Center.

CPSO VCIU Detective Tyler McKnight is the lead investigator on this case.