Shreveport Police On The Hunt for Scrap Metal Thief

Shreveport Police Property Crimes detectives have obtained an arrest warrant for a man following a burglary at WESCO Distribution on Mansfield Road.

The investigation began after WESCO Distribution reported to SPD that back in July, two men entered the business property in a gray Ford F-150 and took items from a warehouse used to store materials for International Paper Company.

The vehicle returned later, and an employee found two men inside the warehouse. The driver claimed they were experiencing vehicle trouble and were looking for water to cool the truck before leaving the property.

As the men left, the employee photographed the rear of the truck, capturing its license plate and a distinctive large red barrel in the truck bed.

During the investigation, detectives identified the truck’s owner and driver as Stephen Terrell Smith. Investigators reviewed camera footage showing the vehicle with the same red barrel in the truck bed. Smith was also consistent with the description provided by the witness.

A review of Smith’s scrap-metal transaction history showed six transactions involving iron, aluminum, brass and tin. One transaction included a photo of Smith’s truck entering a scrap yard with the same large red barrel visible in the bed.

Based on the evidence gathered during the investigation, detectives have warrants charging Smith with:

· One count of Simple Burglary

· One count of Criminal Trespass

From SPD:

"Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Stephen Terrell Smith is urged to contact the Shreveport Police Department at 318-673-7300. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Shreveport-Caddo Crime Stoppers at 318-673-7373 or through the P3 Tips app."