By ROBIN SHANNON

Staff Reporter

ST. ROSE — St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s deputies who raided a New Sarpy home in search of a man wanted on drug charges found a bounty of stolen merchandise, which the suspect was accepting in exchange for illegal narcotics.

Maj. Sam Zinna, chief of investigations for the Sheriff’s Office, said deputies recovered bicycles, big screen TVs, window air conditioning units and a hodgepodge of power tools during a search of a home at 736 E. Easy St. in New Sarpy. Zinna said investigators believe the goods were stolen sometime around Labor Day from homes that were evacuated during Hurricane Gustav.

Zinna said the occupant of the home, Louis Boyd Jr., was arrested during the raid, which was executed November 18. Zinna said investigators found that Boyd was taking the stolen belongings in lieu of cash for drugs he was selling.

“We’re certain that most of this property has been stolen,” Zinna said. “We want to get it back to the people it belongs to.”

Authorities presented the purloined property Tuesday morning in the hopes that rightful owners can recoup what may have been taken. Zinna said anyone who wishes reclaim their stolen goods must provide a complete description of the item or items they wish to get back, including serial numbers and proof of purchase.

Boyd was booked with possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of firearms in the presence of illegal drugs. He also faces a charge of simple cruelty to animals for keeping underfed pit bulls at his home. Boyd remains in custody with a bond set at $500,000 by Judge Emile St. Pierre.

Residents looking to claim property should contact Det. Erik Brass at St. Charles Sheriff’s Office at 985-783-1135.