Alex Painter traveled to Washington Parish on April 21. It was not a good visit for him.

Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped Painter on a traffic violation. He immediately fled on foot and could not be located.

Investigators were called to the scene and determined that the van Painter was driving had been stolen in Ascension Parish. Numerous tools and other items inside the van were determined to have been stolen from a residence in Washington Parish.

Investigators were able to determine Painter’s identity by piecing together several bits of evidence, beginning with store receipts inside the van. Investigators went to the store that issued the receipts and viewed store videos of customer transactions and were able to identify the purchaser as Alex Painter, 56, a resident of Ascension Parish. Painter was located in Ascension Parish, arrested and brought back to the Washington Parish Jail on April 24. He is charged with possession of stolen property and auto theft. Bond has been set at $5,000.

The stolen property, including the van, has been returned to its rightful owners.

Sheriff Randy Seal said deputies moved swiftly in the case.

“Once again, our pro-active patrols of Washington Parish roads led to the arrest of a thief. I congratulate our officers for their quick work in solving this case and putting Painter in jail where he belongs,” Seal said.

Painter is a suspect in crimes committed in other jurisdictions, and an investigation continues into his criminal activities.