Three men have been arrested for the theft of catalytic converters from area businesses, said Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator.

Thomas E. Kinnaird, 31, and Sean E. Nelson, 19, both of Bastrop, and Ryan N. Wright, 18, of Keithville, were arrested on charges of felony theft and felony property damage following an investigation by Sheriff's Detective Terry Richardson.

Two automotive businesses in Caddo Parish reported 36 catalytic converters in May. A three-week investigation revealed that a group of people from Bastrop were traveling across Louisiana and other surrounding areas stealing converters. The group met with a Keithville man as they passed through Caddo Parish area and committed the local thefts.