Lawn Mower Thief Arrested

    Kenneth Lemoine of Central was arrested by EBRSO last Thursday, June 4.  Lemoine has been charged with theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, theft of goods, improper display of license plate, and expired motor vehicle inspection.
    While on regular patrol duties around 3:30 a.m., an EBRSO Deputy noticed a pickup truck driving north on Sullivan Road.  The accused turned off the lights on the truck as he pulled into a trailer park on Sullivan.  The deputy noticed that the truck bed was empty.  The deputy pulled off of Sullivan Road across the street and watched as Lemoine, the accused, drove out of the trailer park after making a lap around the park.  The accused passed in front of the deputy, at which point the deputy noticed the accused had a push mower in his truck bed.  The accused also had an improperly displayed license plate and an expired inspection sticker.
    The deputy conducted a traffic stop after the accused drove behind a commercial building.  The deputy explained to Lemoine the reason for the stop and advised him of his rights.  Lemoine stated that he stole the mower from the trailer park.  A search of the Lemoine’s vehicle before towing revealed drug paraphernalia.
    The deputy contacted the victim of the theft, and the lawn mower was returned to its owner.  Lemoine was booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for the charges listed above.