Washing machine theft caught on camera

AMITE — Tangipahoa Parish deputies are searching for two men who appear on security video stealing washing machines from Cutrer’s Appliance and Furniture along Highway 16 in Amite.

Store owner Brian Cutrer says he’s excited to see customers come through the doors of his furniture business from 9 to 5 p.m. But after hours, he says, it’s a different story.

“People shouldn’t be back at three in the morning where there’s nothing to do,” Cutrer said.

Surveillance video from June 17 shows a black vehicle with a trailer attached. Around 3 a.m., the car pulls up behind the building, next to a loading dock. Two men are seen lifting a washing machine onto the attached trailer.

“From one pile they took a refrigerator and a stove, and from the loading dock, a washing machine.”

Cutrer says that when something breaks at home, customers often drop off their broken devices at the loading dock, especially after the store closes.

In the past, thieves have come at night to steal spare parts of household appliances from the scrap pile. He says that after these thefts, the policy will have to change.

The stolen machine belonged to a customer. It was a Maytag 565 washing machine that needed repair. Cutrer said if it isn’t returned, he could end up covering the cost, which is about $500.

“They were old-fashioned washing machines, but you can’t replace them. It costs about a thousand dollars to replace that washing machine today,” he said. “One customer is really forgiving, and he agrees. I’m still going to have to figure out how I’m going to replace his item.”

Anyone with flight information can call (985) 748-3335.