A St. Landry Parish man has been arrested, accused of stealing cattle.
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry says 52-year-old Richard P. Breaux of Cankton was arrested Thursday, August 8, 2019. Breaux is charged with 11 counts of theft of livestock.
According to investigators, the LDAF received several complaints from cattle producers in Southwest Louisiana regarding Breaux's cattle purchasing activities. Breaux is accused of purchasing cattle by check, leaving with the cattle, then allegedly stopping payment on the checks given to the cattle producers.
Breaux also allegedly sold some of the cattle involved. Investigators say they were able to recover six of the 11 head of cattle.
“This is a good reminder to be careful with whom you do business. When selling cattle from your farm, as opposed to a sale barn, make an effort to get some verification on the purchaser’s background before allowing cattle to leave the premises," Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said.
The LDAF Livestock Brand Commission was assisted in this investigation by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Department.
