Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents arrested a Lafitte man for allegedly stealing a vessel and other violations on Oct. 5.

Agents arrested Edward Thibodeaux, 49, for illegal possession of stolen things, operating a watercraft while under license suspension, careless operation of a watercraft, resisting an officer, interference with navigation and leaving nets unattended.

Agents began investigating Thibodeaux in May of 2023 when they received a complaint that his shrimp vessel was blocking access to the Barataria Waterway in Lafitte.  Agents cited Thibodeaux for interference with navigation and subsequently arrested him for open warrants in Jefferson Parish unrelated to this case.

In September of 2023, agents received another complaint about Thibodeaux again blocking the Barataria Waterway with his shrimp boat.  Agents again went to the location, however the vessel was found unoccupied with the nets down.

During a search of the area, agents located Thibodeaux in a flat boat and cited him for multiple boating safety violations, interference with navigation, and leaving nets unattended.

After further investigation, agents learned the flat boat Thibodeaux was operating was reported stolen.  Agents again made contact with Thibodaux and during questioning, he pushed the stolen vessel away from the dock and fled from the agents.  Thibodeaux then fled on foot into the woods.

Agents acquired an arrest warrant for Thibodeaux.  They also seized the stolen boat and his shrimp nets from his shrimping vessel.

On Oct. 5, agents located Thibodeaux in Lafitte and booked him into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center.

Illegal possession of stolen things brings a $3,000 to $10,000 fine and up to 10 years in jail.  Resisting an officer carries up to a $500 fine and six months in jail.

Careless operation of a vessel brings up to a $300 fine and 30 days in jail.  Interference with navigation carries up to a $50 fine.  Operating a vessel while under license suspension brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail.  Leaving nets unattended carries a $500 to $750 fine and 15 to 30 days in jail.

Agents involved in the case are as Sgt. Thomas Wolf, Sgt. Kyle Wagner, Corporal Dylan Egan, Agent Mason Castello and Agent Jimmie Daniel.