A joint investigation by the Natchitoches, Rapides and Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Offices led to the arrests of two men in connection with the theft of a camper and other items, according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Victor Jones.

NPSO Patrol Division deputies responded to a reported theft in the 700 block of Janie-Gorum Road near Gorum Sept. 26 at 8:30 p.m.

Deputies spoke with the complainant, learning that a 1979 Layton camper trailer  had been stolen from his hunting camp.

Detectives returned to the crime scene Sept. 27. It appeared as if the suspect(s) pulled the camper from beneath a metal shed then drove off with it, leaving the septic line down the road.

Leads led detectives to a business in Rapides Parish, where detectives identified two persons of interest as Carl Wayne Stanley Jr. of Pineville and John Oliver Perkins III of DeQuincy.

Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office recovered the stolen camper abandoned on La. Hwy 121 in Vernon Parish Sept. 28.

NPSO Deputies met with the complainant Sept. 29 after taking possession of the camper and learned that a Marlin .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle, camouflage clothing, Samsung stereo, and approximately 75-feet of copper tubing was stolen from the interior of the camper, all worth $5,000.

NPSO Detectives learned Oct. 4 that Alexandria Police had recently arrested Stanley in connection with a stolen handgun and he was being held in the Rapides Parish jail.

Then, learned Oct. 17 that Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Deputies had Perkins in custody on unrelated charges.

NPSO Detectives recovered the Marlin .22 semi-automatic rifle in the Pineville area.

Stanley, 21, was charged with Felony Theft over $3,000. Perkins, 19, was charged with Felony Theft over $3,000. Both suspects remain in the Rapides Parish jail on Rapides Parish charges and will be released to the NPSO on a detainer at a later date.