AMELIA, La. — Four people have been arrested in connection with the theft of approximately $15,000 worth of welding leads from an Amelia business, according to St. Mary Parish Sheriff Gary Driskell.
Deputies began investigating July 3 after responding to a commercial property where the welding leads had reportedly been stolen overnight. Investigators also found a hole in the business’s fence that may have been used to enter the property.
On July 24, detectives received information identifying Shauntell Nicole Hartdegen, 43, of Pierre Part, and Paige Cline Saint Marie Hartdegen, 27, of St. Martinville, as possible suspects.
Three days later, detectives conducted a “knock and talk” at an Amelia residence and spoke with Isai Nunez-Ortega, 26, of Morgan City. While at the residence, investigators reportedly saw a large amount of wire casing from wires that appeared to have recently been cut and stripped.
Detectives said the investigation determined that Nunez-Ortega and Rosa Adilia-Sanchez Santos, 48, of Morgan City, had been stripping the stolen wire at the residence. Both were arrested July 27 on simple burglary charges. Bail for Nunez-Ortega was set at $10,000, while Sanchez-Santos was released on a $10,000 bond.
Investigators later contacted Shauntell and Paige Hartdegen and determined they were also allegedly involved. Both were arrested July 31 on simple burglary charges.
Shauntell Hartdegen was released on a $20,000 bond. Paige Hartdegen was also charged with criminal neglect of family after detectives reportedly observed the children’s living conditions during the investigation. She was released on a $30,000 bond.
The investigation remains ongoing. Detectives are asking businesses or anyone with information about stolen welding leads to contact the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.
