Lake Charles, LA –
On April 17, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Vehicle Crimes Investigative Unit detectives responded to a business on Prien Lake Road in reference to a catalytic converter theft that occurred several nights prior.
CPSO Special Operations Group detectives began conducting surveillance in the area to due multiple catalytic converters being stolen from the business. During the nighttime hours on April 24, detectives received a motion alert on a security camera located at the business. When detectives arrived they located the suspect, Travis W. Sellars, 44, Lake Charles, underneath a vehicle in the parking lot attempting to steal a catalytic converter.
Sellars was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with criminal trespass; and theft of a catalytic converter $1,000 to $5,000. Judge Kendrick Guidry set his bond at $10,000.
After further investigation, VCIU detectives learned Sellars was also responsible for another theft of a catalytic converter from the same business on East Prien Lake Road as well as the theft of 9 catalytic converters off Calcasieu Parish Police Jury transit buses, located on Industrial Avenue in Lake Charles.
On May 18, CPSO VCIU detectives issued two additional warrants signed by Judge Tony Fazzio, charging Sellars, who is still incarcerated, with criminal trespass; unauthorized entry in a place of business; and 10 counts of theft of a catalytic converter $1,000 to $5,000. His total bond is set at $315,500.
CPSO VCIU Detectives James Rathke and Diquan Bennett 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.