Broussard Police arrest two accused of stealing copper

Broussard Police arrested two men in connection with a large theft of copper wire.

Carl Lavigne, 55, of Lafayette was booked with Criminal Conspiracy to Simple Burglary and Simple Burglary. He also was booked on six outstanding warrants, and with a probation violation. His bond is set at $280,000. He remains in LPCC today.

Shawn Courville, 45, of St. Martinville was booked with Criminal Conspiracy to Simple Burglary, Simple Burglary, Illegal possession of Burglary Instruments, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Possession of Schedule I narcotics. His bond is set at $25,500. He remains in LPCC today.

Broussard Police were called to a drilling company on the Youngsville Highway on Friday to investigate the theft of a large amount of copper wire. Officers set up surveillance over the weekend after noticing that some of the wire was staged, as if the suspects were going to return. At about 1 a.m. Monday, a pick-up truck drove to the back of the business to pick up the wire, and officers arrested the two men inside, Chief Brannon Decou said.

The company estimated the damages and loss at around $250,000, police said.

Investigators with Broussard Police learned that the suspects are persons of interest in multiple other burglaries throughout the Acadiana area. The investigation is still on-going and other arrests are possible, the chief said.

Anyone with information about this crime or any crime is urged to contact the Broussard Police Department at 837-6259