Ascension Parish Sheriff’s detectives arrested 47-year-old John Abner on Tuesday evening, September 25, after an investigation revealed more than $100,000 dollars in construction equipment had been taken from a local construction company over a period of time.

According to Chief Deputy Bobby Webre, an investigation began on May 16 where a piece of construction equipment valued at $15,000 was missing from the construction company. The investigation continued and on September 21 it was learned that the equipment was possibly stored by a former employee at a local storage facility.

Detectives obtained a search warrant on the storage unit and located a flatbed trailer loaded with an industrial fan, yellow surveyors type stand, orange extension ladder, power tools, and the piece of missing equipment. All items were returned to the company.

John Abner, 47, of 13230 High Meadow Drive, Gonzales, was arrested and charged with felony theft over $25,000. He was booked into the Ascension Parish Jail on Tuesday, September 25.