Caddo Parish Detectives Arrest AT&T Wire Thief
One man has been arrested for leading a theft ring involving telecommunication wire in Caddo Parish, according to Sheriff Henry Whitehorn, Sr.
Between July 18, 2024, and September 18, 2024, AT&T reported the Theft of over 17,150 feet of telephone communication wires from various locations around the Shreveport area.
Detective Sundquist and Detective Purgerson obtained surveillance video of one of the thefts on August 31, 2024. The video showed a 2012 silver Honda Fit, identified as the suspect vehicle, with two male suspects inside. The detectives later identified one of the suspects as Benjamin D. Womeldorf, 42.
Following this, Caddo Parish detectives executed a search warrant at Womeldorf's residence and found multiple tools and equipment for cutting telecommunication wire. They also seized a long gun because Womeldorf is a convicted felon.
Benjamin Womeldorf was apprehended at Louisiana Probation and Parole, 2525 Youree Drive, during his appointment with his Parole Officer. He was then transported to the Caddo Correction Center, where he faces several charges:
One count of Theft ($10,000 cost of wire) (Felony)
One count of Simple Criminal Damage to Property ($10,000) (Felony)
One count of Simple Criminal Damage to Property ($3,000 damage to fence) (Felony)
One count of Possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon
Additionally, Probation and Parole placed a probation hold on Womeldorf.
In 2023, Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office Detectives Purgerson and Sundquist arrested B. Womeldurf on March 10, 2023, for five counts of illegally possessing stolen items related to the AT&T thefts. He was bonded out from Caddo Correctional Center on October 31, 2023, and was out during the thefts reported in 2024.
This investigation is ongoing, and more charges and arrests may follow. The thefts caused service interruptions, including emergency communication (911 service).
Caddo Correctional Center Booking Photos October 5th-11th
Gallery Credit: Caddo Correctional Center
Caddo Correctional Center Booking Photos Sept. 28th-Oct. 4th
Gallery Credit: Caddo Correctional Center
Caddo Correctional Center Booking Photos September 21st-27th
Gallery Credit: Caddo Correctional Center
Caddo Correctional Center Booking Photos September 7th-13th
Gallery Credit: Caddo Correctional Center