(Clarence)-A complaint about a possible gravel theft near Chivalry Dam has led to the arrest of a Clarence man wanted by the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and on drug and traffic charges in Natchitoches Parish according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

 

NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau deputies were dispatched to reports of gravel stolen on Feb. 2 around 12:24 pm Hwy. 1226 near Chivalry Dam Bridge. They were advised that a blue truck pulling a black trailer was observed loading state-owned gravel in the area. While responding to the scene, deputies intercepted the vehicle on Hwy. 1226. They stopped the blue 2016 Chevrolet pickup truck pulling a dump trailer and identified the operator of the vehicle as 30-year-old Brady C. Attaway of Clarence.

 

While speaking with Attaway, deputies observed a load of gravel in the trailer. When they asked Attaway if he had permission to get the gravel he responded “yes.” Deputies then contacted the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development-Natchitoches Office inquiring if they had given permission to Attaway to retrieve the rocks in which they confirmed they had not given permission to anyone to get gravel from the location. DOTD asked that Attaway return the rocks in the presence of a deputy.

 

As deputies were escorting Attaway back to the scene, they learned the license plate was switched on the vehicle. After arriving back at the scene, deputies observed a mini excavator believed to have been used to load gravel into the trailer. Deputies observed an equipment rental decal on the excavator so they contacted the rental business.

 

The business confirmed they had rented the excavator to Attaway but he allegedly stopped rental payments and they had been looking for the equipment for at least 3-4 months. A warrant for Failure to Return Leased Property was secured at the Quachita Parish Sheriff’s Office for Attaway’s arrest. A local towing service was contacted to impound the vehicle. Deputies placed Attaway under arrest on the outstanding Ouachita Parish Arrest Warrant.

 

During a search of Attaway’s person incidental to his arrest, and when deputies were about to search his jacket pocket, he replied “Don’t do that.” Deputies replied, “Do what?” He replied again, “Don’t do that…I wish you wouldn’t do that.” Deputies had probable cause to continue the search.

 

Deputies reached into Attaway’s pocket seizing a black pouch containing a plastic container containing a rock of suspected crystal methamphetamine weighing approximately 5 grams and a glass smoking pipe commonly used to smoke/ingest illicit narcotics.

 

Brady C. Attaway, 30 of Clarence, was transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Possession of CDS Schedule II Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Switched License Plate, No Compulsory Vehicle Insurance and Failure to Return Leased Property in Ouachita Parish.

 

Attaway is currently in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center on Natchitoches Parish charges and waiting transfer to Ouachita Parish on their charges. The excavator was released to the rental company.

 

Lt. S. LaCaze was assisted by Deputy C.Crow and Agents with the Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force.

 

“All Persons are Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty in Court or Administrative Process”.