ST. LANDRY / EVANGELINE PARISHES — Deputies are searching for a man wanted for allegedly stealing a bulldozer from a local company in St. Landry Parish.
According to Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz, detectives have since recovered the bulldozer that was stolen from the job site near Chanteberry Road.
Detectives say that on July 22, 2019, the owner of a local company reported that his crew was working on a job for the Union Pacific Railroad noticed their 2000 Komatsu bulldozer was missing. The bulldozer was last seen on July 18, 2019. The bulldozer is worth $150,000.
Detectives followed the tracks from St. Landry to Evangeline Parish were they led to a home in the Ville Platte area on the 3000 block of Chataignier Road. The top section of a bulldozer frame was spotted behind some hay bales located in the rear of the property.
Deputies made contact with the land owner who voluntarily allowed the officers to search the property. Detectives then located the stolen bulldozer after a quick search.
The land owner was questioned and stated that his room-mate/former brother-in-law, 49-year-old Ricky Richard arrived at his residence on July 18, 2019 with the bulldozer. The land owner and Richard were doing work on the property and the land owner had rented a bulldozer from Jennings approximately 8 months prior. The land owner also stated that Richard was going to rent the vehicle for additional work needed since he paid for it the last time. He stated he was unaware that it was stolen and thought Richard rented it for a week.
Detectives were unable to locate Richard for questioning and are currently looking for him to question him. The case is still under investigation.
If you know the whereabouts of Rickie John Richard, please call crime stoppers at 948-8477 (TIPS).
