Schuler
A Mooringsport man has been arrested in connection with several thefts in Webster Parish and was extradited from Maricopa County, Arizona, famous for its no-nonsense sheriff and pink prison uniforms.
Michael T. Schuler, 45, was arrested Friday, April 24, by Webster Parish Sheriff’s detectives and charged on the following warrants: three counts of felony theft more than $1,500, two counts of simple burglary, two counts of criminal conspiracy to commit simple burglary and three counts of criminal conspiracy to commit felony theft. Bonds totaled $77,500.
Webster Parish Sheriff Gary Sexton says his arrest comes on the heels of four other arrests made over the last couple of months in connection to thefts from a Marathon Road residence in Cotton Valley. Webster Parish sheriff’s investigators say the thefts began in August, with the ring of alleged thieves hitting the same residence several times between then and December, stealing nearly $100,000 worth of items belonging to Robert “Bud” Holloway. And that’s only what they’ve recovered.
“All of these suspects that have been arrested have criminal histories,” Sexton said. “All these individuals have had past acquaintances with each other. We know they are all connected with each other.”
Items stolen from August until December include a full Harley-Davidson classic motorcycle and trailer, a 36-foot travel trailer, a black car hauler, tools, tool boxes, welding machines, and Harley-Davidson equipment and parts. Many of the items recovered were in Caddo, Bossier, Lincoln and Jackson parishes.
According to the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Schuler was arrested by the U.S. Marshal’s Service in Maricopa County, Arizona following a traffic stop there on April 3.
“Caddo detectives, working with the Webster Sheriff’s Office, recovered $31,660 in stolen property from a residence on Honeycreek Lane in February,” Caddo officials said in a news release. “Detectives identified Schuler as a suspect in the case and obtained a warrant for his arrest on two counts of illegal possession of stolen things.”
However, Sexton says Holloway also has a criminal history and was acquainted with the others who have been arrested. Sexton says his office has to treat the case just like any other and investigate it to its end.
“It’s a triangle of people stealing from each other,” Sexton said. “They’ve been connected over the years, and their dealings got crossed; it’s a network of illegal doings, and some were taking advantage of others.”
Others arrested on the same charges in this case are as follows: Kevin Mitchell Martin, arrested Feb. 4, Angela Wolfe, arrested Feb. 4, Jason Scott, arrested March 18, and Raymond Smith, arrested March 19.
Sexton says while most of the stolen items have been recovered, the case is still under investigation.