Louisiana Man Arrested Multiple Times Suspected of Theft of a Vehicle, Heavy Equipment, Tools, and Other Crimes in Rapides Parish
Rapides Parish, Louisiana – A Louisiana man has been arrested multiple times suspected of theft of a vehicle, heavy equipment, tools, and other crimes in Rapides Parish.
The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office reported on April 19, 2023, that on March 14, Patrol Deputies responded to allegations of heavy equipment thefts in the Poland Community near Old River Road and LA Highway 457. A white 2008 Ford F150, a Kubota tractor with a front-end loader, a bush hog, a Kubota zero turn mower, a Mahindra side-by-side, Stihl blowers, weed eaters, and saws were among the things taken. Deputies took the original report, and Sheriff’s Detectives began their investigation.
On March 20, while working leads, Detectives discovered the Ford F150 being driven along Dublin Road and a traffic stop was made. The driver, Michael Francis Bayonne, Sr., 44, of Alexandria, Louisiana was arrested and jailed awaiting further investigation. Investigators were able to establish sufficient probable cause from their earlier investigation to arrest Bayonne, Sr. for two counts of illegal possession of stolen property valued greater than $5000, but less than $25,000 and a Parole Violation through the Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole. Bayonne Sr. was arrested and taken to the Rapides Parish Detention Center.
Investigators were able to secure more arrest warrants on Bayonne, Sr. as their investigation progressed after search warrants were executed at several residences and the recovery of multiple stolen things.
Bayonne, Sr. was re-arrested and re-booked on multiple offenses related to burglaries and thefts in the Poland Community, and he was still in jail at the time this was published.
Altogether, Michael Francis Bayonne, Sr., 44, of Alexandria, Louisiana was arrested and charged with 2 counts of Illegal Possession of Stolen Things, Parole Violation, 4 counts of Theft of a motor vehicle worth greater than $5000 but less than $25000, 2 Counts of Theft greater than $1000 but less than $5000, 1 count Theft less than $1000, 2 counts Criminal Damage, Criminal Damage to critical infrastructure, Unauthorized entry to critical infrastructure (Burglary), 4 counts Obstruction of Justice, tampering with evidence, and 3 counts Criminal Conspiracy.
According to Sheriff’s Detectives, the investigation is still ongoing, and further arrests are expected because the Kubota tractor and Mahindra side by side have yet to be found.
Authorities are asking that anyone with information about these events call Detectives Shannon Hanks and Matt Cloud at 318-748-4226 or Crime Stoppers at 318-443-7867.
Authorities indicated that anyone with information can also use the Crime Stoppers P3 Tipster app to leave tips and get a claim number for reward.
An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.