05-05-2025
One man arrested, another at-large in alleged Covington store theft
ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. (WGNO) — A New Orleans man is in a St. Tammany Parish jail accused of stealing thousands of dollars of merchandise from a Covington area store.
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office deputies reported one suspect, 25-year-old Basil Martin Jr., was recently featured in their 'Whodat Wednesday' video , highlighting criminal they are searching for.
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Deputies said Martin was caught on camera twice, allegedly stealing over $2,000 worth of 'high-end' curling irons, styling tools and perfumes.
On March 7, he reportedly entered the store and took items valued at $2,203.89. He then returned on March 10 with an accomplice and allegedly stole $1,571.91 worth of products, according to deputies.
The two also reportedly stole $65.98 worth of items from a neighboring business.
Through an investigation, deputies identified Martin and his accomplice, 26-year-old Keith Gutter from Chalmette.
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With assistance from the New Orleans Police Department, Martin was found and booked as a fugitive into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on April 22 for similar crime committed in Hammond.
On April 29, he was transferred to the St. Tammany Parish Jail on one count of theft under $1,000 and two counts of theft between $1,000 and $5,000.
STPSO deputies are still searching for Gutter who is wanted on charges of theft under $1,000 and theft between $1,000 and $5,000.
Anyone with information on the crime or Gutter's location can call STPSO deputies at man arrested, another at-large in alleged Covington store theft
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