St. John the Baptist Parish authorities are searching for a Baton Rouge man accused of stealing several items from a business in LaPlace, with deputies saying surveillance footage captured the theft and the suspect's getaway vehicle. Devin Henderson remains at large as investigators work to track him down.
Surveillance video shows Henderson stealing several items from the business, according to deputies, as reported by WDSU. Deputies say Henderson fled the scene in a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee bearing Louisiana temporary license plate 22549153. The outlet's report, credited to digital editor Metia Carroll, does not specify the value or nature of the items taken, and it remains unclear whether Henderson has since been taken into custody.
St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information to come forward. The agency accepts tips through its website and also operates a tips line at 985-359-TIPS for residents who may have spotted the suspect or his vehicle.
A Familiar Name in Louisiana Court Records
Public records suggest this is not the first time someone named Devin Henderson has faced theft-related allegations in the state. In October 2018, a man by that name was arrested by the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office on charges of simple burglary, access device fraud, and identity theft after an anonymous tip linked him to a gas station vehicle purse theft, according to a report at the time from WBRZ. That case reportedly involved unauthorized charges run up on credit cards stolen during a vehicle burglary.
More recently, jail records from the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office show a Devin Deandre Henderson was booked in January 2024 on felony charges of theft between $5,000 and $25,000, theft between $1,000 and $5,000, and hold warrants tied to other Louisiana jurisdictions. Those records indicate the suspect posted a combined $60,000 bond in that case. It is not confirmed whether this is the same Devin Henderson now sought in connection with the LaPlace incident, but the pattern spans parishes along the Interstate 10 corridor connecting Baton Rouge to the River Parishes.
What Louisiana Law Says About Theft Charges
Under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 14:67, the severity of a theft charge hinges on the value of what was taken. Theft of items valued under $1,000 is classified as a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in prison, while theft of $1,000 or more becomes a felony carrying potential prison sentences ranging from 5 to 20 years depending on the total value involved. State lawmakers also enhanced penalties for repeat theft offenders in legislation enacted in 2024. Because WDSU's report does not detail the dollar value of the items allegedly stolen from the LaPlace business, it is not yet clear whether Henderson could face misdemeanor or felony charges if apprehended.
LaPlace's Role as a Regional Crossroads
LaPlace sits roughly 55 driving miles southeast of Baton Rouge along Interstate 10, a commute of about 55 minutes, according to travel-routing data from Rome2Rio. The community also functions as a major transportation nexus for the River Parishes region, sitting at the southern terminus of Interstate 55 where it merges with Interstate 10 and U.S. Route 61 — a layout that makes it easy for non-resident motorists to move quickly in and out of the area.
St. John the Baptist Parish's population stood at 39,875 as of Census Bureau estimates released in March, continuing a multi-year decline from the 42,477 residents counted in the 2020 census, per L'Observateur. LaPlace remains the parish's largest community, though it is technically an unincorporated census-designated place rather than an incorporated city.
Sheriff's Office Has Expanded Its Investigative Reach
The search for Henderson comes as the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Mike Tregre, has been reshaping its investigative capabilities. Tregre, a 38-year law enforcement veteran serving his fourth term as sheriff since 2012, was formally commended by the Louisiana House of Representatives in May. In July, the office reorganized internally, creating a Special Victims Unit and establishing a Corrections Security Investigative Unit to handle complex cases and institutional security.
The agency has also been active on the commercial theft front in recent months. St. John Parish deputies deployed an aerial drone in July to track down a suspect accused of stealing copper from Liberty Steel in LaPlace, who was booked on felony burglary charges. Sheriff Tregre also announced plans last November to build a centralized 18-acre Public Safety Complex in LaPlace, consolidating administrative, investigative, patrol, and corrections operations into a single facility meant to replace older headquarters damaged by past hurricanes.
Anyone with information on Henderson's whereabouts or the whereabouts of the Jeep Grand Cherokee is urged to contact the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Office through its tip line or website.
